http://www.alec.org/task-forces/5.html About ALEC news contributions major issues task forces model legislation meetings calendar home search alec.org members only join ALEC contact us subscribe Broadband TechnologiesDigital DivideDigital SignaturesE-GovernmentEncyrption TechnologiesModel LegislationPublicationsContact Info Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force Contact Info. | Model Legislation | Publications The fast pace and constant innovation in both telecommunications and information technology presents a complex set of policy problems that defy uniform policy prescriptions. States must be careful not to stunt the growth of communication and technological advancement through excessive regulation and taxation. Economic and political assumptions that once guided policymakers in the past are not wholly applicable in this evolving economy. To guide policymakers through these uncharted waters, the Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force brings together state legislators, industry representatives, and public policy experts to develop state public policy that will preserve free-market principles, uphold deregulation efforts, and keep the communications and technology industries free from burdensome regulations. Currently, the Task Force is examining a variety of issues, including barriers to e-commerce, competition in both technology and telecommunications, and rights-of-way reform. Major Issues: Broadband Technologies Digital Divide Digital Signatures E-Government Encyrption Technologies News Task Force Meeting 2004 States and Nation Policy Summit Washington, DC The task force convened on Saturday, December 4 to discuss federalism issues surrounding mandated automobile emissions testing, and reported favorably on proposed legislation that asserts states' rights to regulate the programs. The resolution now goes before the Natural Resources Task Force at ALEC's next task force summit. In addition, Tom Gann of Digimarc discussed state progress in the implementation of important drivers' license security measures, demonstrating new technologies available to states and augmenting ALEC's existing State Drivers License and Identification Security Act. Finally, Jim Harper of the Cato Institute offered insights into the federal intelligence reform legislation and how it relates to the creation of a "national ID," something that ALEC has opposed. Task Force Meeting 2004 Annual Meeting Seattle, WA The eCommerce Subcommittee met on July 29th to discuss amendments to ALEC’s model Computer Protection Act. Later that day, the Competition Subcommittee met to discuss The Neutrality and Integrity in Software Procurement Act and a Resolution Regarding Regulation of Intrastate Telecommunications. The Competition Subcommittee also held a hearing on Software Preference Procurement Legislation. On July 30th, the full Task Force met to address a number of issues. Steve DelBianco, ACT and Jay Magure, 1-800 Contacts, gave members a Spyware update. This was followed by a presentation on Phishing by Jim Harper with Privacilla.org. Adam Thierer, Cato Institute, then discussed A La Carte Regulation. Louisiana Senator Noble Ellington, ALEC State Chair, and John Spalding, Cox Communications discussed Municipal Competition, LA SB 877. The task force passed three bills: the Neutrality and Integrity in Software Procurement Act, a Resolution Regarding Regulation of Intrastate Telecommunications, and amendments to the Model Computer Protection Act. Task Force Meeting 2004 Spring Task Force Summit Austin, TX Members of the Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force met on May 1. Members were briefed on emerging technology applications such as radio frequency identification and spyware. In addition, members were given a review of spam and data security laws. Following these presentations, members and guest speakers discussed the impact of various types of privacy legislation and its related unintended consequences that directly impact consumers and industry alike. Speakers included Tim Spainhour (Acxiom), Robert Hoffman (Oracle), Steve DelBianco (Association for Competitive Technology), Jay Magure, (1-800-Contacts) and Jim Harper (PolicyCouncil.com). Wisconsin Senator Ted Kanavas and Representative Phil Montgomery discussed their successful introduction of ALEC’s Municipal Competition Act. Members also adopted the Wireless Competition Act, which promotes and encourages wireless telephone competition by preventing unnecessary and burdensome regulation by a state utilities commission. ALEC's DIRECTOR OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY TESTIFIES BEFORE THE NEW HAMPSHIRE LEGISLATURE On February 18, 2004, Morgan Haley Long testified regarding bulk electronic mail solicitation before the New Hampshire State Legislature’s House Criminal Justice & Public Safety Committee. Read Full Testimony Task Force Meeting 2003 States and Nation Policy Summit Scottsdale, AZ The Task Force was briefed on the state of competition in telecommunications and the emerging technology of voice over internet protocol (VoIP). Members also participated in a breakout session, outlining objectives for 2004. Following the December meeting, ND Sen. Dave Nething was appointed as Task Force Chair to replace NJ Assemblywoman Clare Farragher who recently retired and CT Rep. Bill Hamzy was appointed as the Task Force Vice Chair. Task Force Meeting 2003 Annual Meeting Washington, DC The Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force saw the Computer Protection Act, Online Privacy Principles, and Collocation & Streamlined Tower Siting Act unanimously adopted. The resolution regarding Congressional preemption was sent back to the Regulatory and Taxation subcommittee for discussion in December. In addition to model legislation discussion, members also participated in discussions related to wi-fi technology, open source software, electronic government, and cable theft legislative developments. Task Force Chair, NJ Assemblywomen, Clare Farragher announced that in addition to the full Task Force meeting, one or two subcommittees will likely be held in conjunction with the States and Nation Policy Summit in December 2003. Task Force Meeting 2003 Spring Task Force Summit Las Vegas, NV Over 60 Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force members met for the Task Force and subcommittee meetings. Starting off the technology discussions on March 28th, Mark Berejka, Microsoft, and Rick Cimerman, NCTA, briefed members on open internet/network neutrality issues. Task Force members returned on Saturday morning to discuss spam with Jim Harper, Internet Alliance, and cybersecurity issues with Alan Daley, Verizon, and Mark Berejka, Microsoft. Members also received an update on the Federal Communications Commission’s triennial review ruling from Scott Bergmann, Counsel for the Wireline Bureau, and a briefing on e911 wireless issues from John Melcher, President of the National Emergency Number Association. eCommerce subcommittees favorably referred an amendment to the Computer Protection Act that will be considered by the full Task Force at the 2003 Annual Meeting. Task Force Meeting 2002 States & Nation Policy Summit Washington, DC At a subcommittee hearing, the Parity and Certainty in Regulatory Treatment of High Speed Internet Access Services and Broadband Services and Providers Act was debated. The hearing featured both sides of the debate surrounding the implications of the act, which provides for regulatory parity and certainty at the state level in the critical areas of high-speed Internet access services and broadband services. Panelists in favor of the legislation included Oklahoma State Senator Mike Morgan, Curt Hopfinger (SBC), Paul Russinoff (AOL Time Warner) and Adam Thierer (Cato Institute). Those opposed included: Utah State Speaker Marty Stephens, Frank Messersmith (Metz, Hauser & Husband, PA), David Scott (Birch Telecom), and Jessica Zufolo (NARUC). Speakers thoroughly discussed the various aspects and implications of the proposed broadband parity legislation, and members were able to ask panelists additional questions regarding the proposed legislation. The Competition Subcommittee further debated the proposed model legislation. After considering a number of amendments, the Subcommittee favorably referred the proposed legislation to the full Task Force. The full task force meeting opened with three presentations: electronic court filing by Monty Ahalt (Court Link); biometrics by Wayne Crews (Cato Institute); and barriers to e-commerce with Clark Neily (Institute for Justice) and Ted Cruz (Federal Trade Commission, Office of Policy Planning). In continuation of the Task Force's investigation of online privacy, Solveig Singleton (Competitive Enterprise Institute) addressed “opt-in” v. “opt-out” policies as well as online privacy legislation's impact on federalism. Bruce Joseph (Wiley Rein & Fielding) continued the discussion on online privacy by reviewing the lawsuit, RIAA v. Verizon, and exploring its pending implications to privacy. Members adopted the Parity and Certainty in Regulatory Treatment of High Speed Internet Access Services and Broadband Services and Providers Act and approved the proposed amendments to both the model Online Bidding Act and the model eGovernment Services Act. By member request, the eCommerce Subcommittee will continue its study of online privacy and review “spam” legislation in 2003. Competition Subcommittee and Full Task Force Meet in Orlando for Model Bill Review and Online Privacy Debate 2002 Annual Meeting Orlando, FL August 8-9, 2002 The Competition Subcommittee kicked off the series of T&IT meetings at the 29th Annual Meeting, on August 8th. Members approved the Statement of Work, which outlines future activities for the Subcommittee in effort to address anti-competitive government participation in the private marketplace. In addition, the members approved the Municipal Telecommunications Private Industry Safeguards Act with minor amendments. The Parity and Certainty in Regulatory Treatment of High Speed Internet Access Services and Broadband Services and Providers Act ­and the amendment to the Competitive Telecommunications Principles were tabled for further discussion in December. The following morning, August 9th, OH Rep. Steve Buehrer moderated the Online Privacy Workshop. Speakers included Federal Trade Commissioner Orson Swindle, Jim Harper (Progress & Freedom Foundation), Jerry Lewis (Comcast), and Mikal Condon (EPIC). Commissioner Swindle outlined the importance of self-regulation and also emphasized the need to create a culture of security. Mr. Harper helped define privacy, while Mr. Lewis outlined concerns regarding the recently signed Minnesota privacy bill. Transcripts will be available shortly. For Commissioner Swindle's comments, click here (WORD Format). Commissioner Swindle opened the Task Force meeting shortly after the workshop, continuing his online privacy and security discussion with members. The Task Force approved the Broadband and Telecommunications Deployment Act, the Local Cellular Phone Preemption Act,, the Municipal Telecommunications Private Industry Safeguards Act, and the addendum to the Telecommunications Tax Reform Statement of Principles. Task Force Meeting 2002 Spring Task Force Summit Las Vegas, NV In response to arising competition issues in the technology and telecommunications industries, Task Force Chairmen Rep. Gary Burton (MO) and Frank Thompson have appointed members to a new subcommittee on competition. The subcommittee had its first meeting during the Spring Task Force Summit in Las Vegas, NV, on April 12. Subcommittee members participated in interactive panels to discuss the future of technology applications and emerging competition issues. The full Task Force also met during the Summit on April 13, where members discussed a variety of pressing technology issues such as emergency wireless 911 calls, electronic procurement, and rights-of-way. Task Force Meeting (2001 States and Nation Policy Summit, Washington, DC: December 15, 2001) Over 40 Task Force members met for an in-depth meeting on a variety of issues at the 2001 States & Nation Policy Summit. Opening with a hearing on telecommunications tax reform, Steve Kranz with Committee on State Taxation, Kristin Goodin from Verizon, Richard Martin with Sprint, and Kent Lassman from the Progress & Freedom Foundation provided an interactive discussion on the current situation of telecommunication taxation, addressing where and how legislative improvements can be made to streamline the respective tax structure. In addition, the Task Force heard updates on post 9-11 efforts by the telecommunication industry, federal telecommunications regulatory legislation and activities, and the Microsoft settlement and pending appeals. The Task Force requested a full review of competition in both the technology and telecommunications sectors. Task Force Meeting (2001 Annual Meeting, New York, NY: August 2, 2001) The Task Force unanimously approved The Electronic Government Service Act. Members listened to opposing viewpoints from two Pennsylvania legislators on that state’s recent decision to functionally separate Verizon into wholesale and retail operations. Reports from the subcommittees included a need to revisit the State Factors on Telecommunication Taxation since the passage of the 1996 Telecommunications Act; explore the possibility of state issue briefings next year in Ohio and Washington to discuss municipal ownership of telecommunication and cable services; consider drafting model legislation on the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act adopted by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, and begin looking into enhanced 911 wireless services and digital identification issues. Chairs North Dakota Senator David Nething Public Sector Chair Jim Ruda, Intuit, Inc. 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