SJ81: Consumer data privacy; Joint Commission on Technology and Science to study.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 81
Senate Amendments in [ ] – February 7, 2020
Directing the Joint Commission on Technology and Science to study consumer data privacy in the Commonwealth. Report.
Patron Prior to Engrossment--Senator Dunnavant

Unanimous consent to introduce

Referred to Committee on Rules

WHEREAS, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science has a long history of studying issues related to the intersection of privacy and technology; and

WHEREAS, as technology advances, citizens and consumers share an ever-increasing amount of personal information and data in the conduct of electronic business transactions; and

WHEREAS, the role of technology and data collection plays an increasingly important role in both the private and public sectors, and allows for the development of beneficial applications such as the use of data analytics to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and cost savings in business and government in providing responsive solutions to customers and constituents; and

WHEREAS, the proliferation of the collection of person data can also lead to data breaches and the unauthorized sharing of personal information with third parties, heightening the risk of identity theft and intruding on the privacy of consumers and citizens; and

WHEREAS, critics have argued that attempts by other states to address issues related to consumer privacy have resulted in undue burdens on commerce and business; and

WHEREAS, the development of recommendations that protect consumer and citizen privacy while balancing the needs of the government and business community to operate efficiently is essential to the development of sound public policy on this issue in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Joint Commission on Technology and Science be directed to study consumer data privacy in the Commonwealth.

In conducting its study, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall establish an advisory committee consisting of representatives of state and local government, private businesses, experts in information technology and data security, [ consumer privacy experts, ] private citizens, and any other persons identified by the Joint Commission on Technology and Science as relevant to the discussion. The advisory committee shall review and document prevalent means of data collection by both the public and private sector, identify uses of data that should be encouraged and incentivized, recommend how to best protect personal and consumer data from misuse, and develop potential legislative recommendations.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science for this study, upon request.

The Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2020, and the Executive Director shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2021 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Commission on Technology and Science intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 81

Offered January 17, 2020
Directing the Joint Commission on Technology and Science to study consumer data privacy in the Commonwealth. Report.
Patron-- Dunnavant

Unanimous consent to introduce

Referred to Committee on Rules

WHEREAS, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science has a long history of studying issues related to the intersection of privacy and technology; and

WHEREAS, as technology advances, citizens and consumers share an ever-increasing amount of personal information and data in the conduct of electronic business transactions; and

WHEREAS, the role of technology and data collection plays an increasingly important role in both the private and public sectors, and allows for the development of beneficial applications such as the use of data analytics to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and cost savings in business and government in providing responsive solutions to customers and constituents; and

WHEREAS, the proliferation of the collection of person data can also lead to data breaches and the unauthorized sharing of personal information with third parties, heightening the risk of identity theft and intruding on the privacy of consumers and citizens; and

WHEREAS, critics have argued that attempts by other states to address issues related to consumer privacy have resulted in undue burdens on commerce and business; and

WHEREAS, the development of recommendations that protect consumer and citizen privacy while balancing the needs of the government and business community to operate efficiently is essential to the development of sound public policy on this issue in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Joint Commission on Technology and Science be directed to study consumer data privacy in the Commonwealth.

In conducting its study, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall establish an advisory committee consisting of representatives of state and local government, private businesses, experts in information technology and data security, private citizens, and any other persons identified by the Joint Commission on Technology and Science as relevant to the discussion. The advisory committee shall review and document prevalent means of data collection by both the public and private sector, identify uses of data that should be encouraged and incentivized, recommend how to best protect personal and consumer data from misuse, and develop potential legislative recommendations.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science for this study, upon request.

The Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2020, and the Executive Director shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2021 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Commission on Technology and Science intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.