Wash. House Appropriators Clear Privacy, Muni Broadband Bills

Washington state privacy and municipal broadband bills head to the House floor after getting fiscal OKs Thursday. The House Appropriations Committee voted 19-14 for the Senate’s privacy bill (SB-5062), including last week’s Judiciary Committee changes, opposed by industry (see 2104010049), to add a private right of action and sunsetting companies’ right to cure. The committee voted 21-12 for the municipal bill (SB-5383) after adopting an amendment by unanimous voice vote. Rep. Drew Hansen (D), sponsor of a House muni bill (HB-1336), said at the webcast meeting that SB-5383 sponsor Sen. Lisa Wellman (D) suggested the amendment to her bill. Rep. Matt Boehnke said he and other Republicans are mixed on the bill because it “reduces barriers to access” but may not sufficiently target unserved areas.