Ore. Legislators Pass Privacy Bill

Oregon’s comprehensive privacy bill passed the legislature Thursday. The House voted 54-0, with six members excused, on SB-619. The Senate passed it Tuesday (see 2306210039). The bill initially included a private right of action, but a Senate panel removed it in April, leaving the attorney general as the proposed law’s sole enforcer. The bill still needs approval from Gov. Tina Kotek (D). Oregon could be the first blue state to enact a privacy law in 2023. Republican governors signed comprehensive bills this year in Iowa, Indiana, Tennessee, Montana, Florida and Texas. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah and Virginia passed privacy bills in previous years. “Consumers should have a say over how their personal data is used and companies shouldn’t be able to use that data to target and exploit them," said SB-619 sponsor Rep. Paul Holvey (D) in a statement. He said the state bill "will make sure Oregonians are protected and in control of their personal data.”