Washington Lawmakers Pass Facial Recognition Bill

The Washington House voted 63-33 Friday on a bipartisan basis for a facial recognition bill (SB-6280). Members amended the bill to add language on private use of facial recognition that had been in the state’s comprehensive privacy bill (SB-6281). Lawmakers decided in recent days to remove the controversial section from the main privacy bill and move it to the other bill, Rep. Norma Smith (R) told us on the phone from the House floor Friday. Smith, who voted aye, praised the amendment by Rep. Debra Entenman (D), which included a private right of action and made other changes. "I originally wanted a ban" on facial recognition after learning about racial bias and other issues, Entenman said on the floor. "This technology does not see me as a brown-skinned person and as a woman." She urged supporting the bill with her amendment to add "moral guardrails." SB-6280 next goes to a House-Senate conference. Friday was the last day for floor votes, but as of 6 p.m. EST, the House hadn't voted on SB-6281 or its more than 25 amendments. The bill coming to the floor allows individuals to bring lawsuits under the state’s Consumer Protect Action, Smith said. Debate over enforcement and facial recognition divided Washington state lawmakers (see 2002280070).