COMMUNICATIONS AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE 06/11/08

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee met on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 during a mid-morning recess of the senate and reported out the following bills:

As committed:

SB1266, PN1919:  (Pileggi) This bill would amend the Breach of Personal Information Notification Act to provide for a public notice of a security breach within seven days.

A vote of 11-0 was recorded. 

As amended:

SB1087,PN1514:  (Robbins) This bill would authorize any local government or school district to electronically publish legal notices, ordinances or resolutions in place of newspaper advertisements.  This would substitute the requirements for legal notices under the majority of provisions of law.

Amendment A0476 was offered and made multiple technical changes along with preserving the printed publication of such notices in legal journals.

The amendment was agreed to and the bill was reported out with a 9-2 vote.

COMMUNICATIONS AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE 10/24/07

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee met on Wednesday, October 24, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. and reported the following:

SB 390  (Senator Corman)  This bill provides for the offense of “phishing” or the intentional act to defraud anyone through unauthorized communication.  Grades of offenses and penalties are also included.

Senator Corman offered amendment number A03762 that included web pages within the definition of “communication.”  It also defines and includes “interactive computer service” as an information system that enables access by multiple users to a computer server.  Finally, along with several technical changes, the amendment provides multiple venues where civil action may be brought.

The bill was unanimously reported out as amended

SB 1000  (Senator Wonderling)  This bill would prohibit the regulation of voice over Internet Protocol (IP) as well as provide for consumer protection, fees and rates, and preservation of cable franchise authority. 

Senator Wonderling offered amendment number A03708 that was mostly technical in nature except that it removes “IP-enabled service” from the fees and rates section.

The amendment was unanimously agreed to and the bill was reported out as amended with a 9-1 vote count.

HB 221 (Representative Tangretti)  This bill would establish the Historic Preservation Incentive Grant Program to support the renovation or preservation of historic commercial and residential sites.

The bill was reported out with the recommendation to re-refer it to the Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee.

COMMUNICATIONS AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE 05/07/07

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee met on Monday, May 7, 2007, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

Senate Bill 385 (Corman) – This bill would provide for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone service and establish the VoIP Emergency Services Fund. This legislation would require VoIP telephone service providers to assess a $1 fee for each customer service line. This fee would be distributed by PEMA to counties to assist with implementing their 911 plans.

Senate Bill 711 (Gordner) – Known as the Consumer Protection Against Computer Spyware Act, this bill would prohibit the distribution of “spyware” that modifies a user’s preferences or security settings, collects personal information, prevents installation or operation of anti-spyware software, or takes control of a user’s computer.

COMMUNICATIONS AND HIGH TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE 06/27/06

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee met on Tuesday, June 27, 2006, and unanimously reported out the following bills as amended:

Senate Bill 1218 (Wonderling) – This bill would amend the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to provide an exclusion from coverage for Internet service providers (ISPs). Sen. Wonderling offered amendment A8595, which deleted some unnecessary language and added language to bring the definition of “Internet service provider” into conformity with federal law. The committee agreed to the amendment.

House Bill 2134 (Fairchild) – This bill would limit the collection of Social Security numbers by state agencies and local governments, prohibit health insurance providers from using these numbers for identification, and provide for duties of the Department of Transportation. Sen. Wonderling offered amendment A8533, which added language to ensure the state’s continued compliance with federal child support enforcement provisions. The committee agreed to the amendment.