RFID

This legislation would establish a task force to investigate the privacy implications of RFID technology. The purpose of the task force would be to determine if the state should impose regulations on RFID technology.

The composition of the task force would include seventeen individuals including members of the Governor's Cabinet and appointees made by the Assembly, the Senate and the Governor. One of the Governor's appointees would be a representative from a national high technology trade association to represent the RFID industry.

The bill is unlikely to pass during this legislative session however the bill will be reintroduced next year. One of the sponsors, Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer is interested in hearing more about the Emerging Technologies Advocacy Group (ETAG) and SIA's interest in RFID technology.

California Senate Bill 30, the "Identity Information Protection Act of 2007"

This legislation, introduced by Senator Joe Simitian, would regulate the use of RFID technologies in state government-issued ID cards. The bill calls for interim security measures for state government-issued RFID cards until permanent measures can be adopted, pending a study from the California Research Bureau.

Last year SIA successfully lobbied Governor Schwarzenegger to veto similar legislation (SB 768). The bill was reintroduced this year in the forms of SB 30 and SB 31. The current bill has passed the Senate and is expected to pass the State Assembly as well.

MI HB5061 "Prohibition of RFID use in State Driver's Licenses."

This legislation would prohibit the use of RFID technology or any device capable of having stored information and being read by remote receiver in Michigan driver's licenses.

The bill has been referred to the Transportation Committee to be evaluated prior to adjournment for the year. Staff informed SIA that they were unaware of any support or opposition to the bill.

California SB388, Radio Frequency Identification Tags and Privacy

This bill would require anyone that issues a card that contains an RFID tag, that may be scanned for identification purposes, to provide the following information: where and when the tag is read, the level of encryption on the card and the maximum read range of the card

The bill is supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) and the California Teachers Association. It is opposed by a number of retail, banking, and business associations.

The legislation narrowly passed the Senate. Legislative staff informed SIA that the bill has a reasonable chance of passage by the Assembly.