Ky., Va. Senators Support TikTok Ban

A Kentucky Senate panel unanimously supported banning TikTok on government devices Wednesday. The Senate State and Local Government Committee at a webcasted hearing voted 9-0 for SB-20 by Sen. Robby Mills (R). The bill effectively puts into state law an executive order by Gov. Andy Beshear (D) to ban the platform on state devices. Codifying the prohibition is important “so it will not time out as an executive policy will,” Mills told the committee. Sen. Gex Williams (R) asked why the bill doesn’t require, but rather permits, the judicial branch to implement the ban. Mills understands the legislature can’t force the judiciary, he said. Williams said he wants to follow up on that before final passage. The Virginia Senate narrowly passed a bill (SB-1459) Tuesday to ban TikTok and WeChat, effectively codifying an executive order by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) broke a 20-20 tie vote. The House passed a similar bill (HB-2385) Friday (see 2302060050).