Fla. Privacy Bill Possibly Dead Again as Legislatures Prepare to Adjourn

The Florida House’s privacy bill might have hit a dead end in the state Senate. With lawmakers set to adjourn Friday, Rep. Fiona McFarland (R) legislative aide Clay Gunter told us Monday he doesn’t expect any more movement on HB-9, which passed the House last week by a wide margin (see 2203020069). The bill is now in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but the panel hadn’t scheduled HB-9 for hearing as of Monday. Senate President Wilton Simpson (R) and Judiciary Chairman Danny Burgess (R) didn’t comment. A Florida Senate privacy bill (SB-1864) hasn't moved since it was introduced Jan. 18. The chambers couldn't agree last year on enforcement. Wisconsin and Washington state privacy bills face Thursday legislative deadlines. In New York state, Attorney General Letitia James (D) listed data privacy and other internet-related problems Friday as the top consumer complaint she got last year, with more than 8,000 such complaints filed. Citing the AG list, New York Senate Consumer Protection Chairman Kevin Thomas (D) said Monday he will advocate to pass his privacy bill (S-6701). “New Yorkers should not have to sacrifice their safety or privacy when engaging in the digital world,” he said. Thomas’ committee cleared S-6701 last month (see 2202080051).