Privacy in your technology
Last week I introduced House Bill 2046 to improve the transparency of how corporations are selling, commercializing, and monetizing your data.
Technology is increasingly becoming a more integral part of our lives. With that integration of technology in almost everything we do, our personal data and information becomes less private. It is important that we set limitations to what information companies have access to and how they monetize that information.
My bill will require companies to provide clear and concise messaging to all Washington consumers about their collection, use, and selling of personal data. The bill will also require that this messaging be written in a clear and concise way so that the public is able to understand their rights as they relate to their personal information.
There are three bills working their way through the legislature that pertain to personal data. They are House Bill 2046, House Bill 1854, and Senate Bill 5376. There are multiple of these similar bills in order to engage both the public and stakeholders in a robust discussion around data privacy. I have heard from a lot of corporations about how they would like to be regulated, but I have not heard from many private citizens. Please reach out to my office and share your concerns around data privacy and how you think your data should be regulated.
Simple Majority for School Bonds is Long Overdue
If I won my election with 59% of the vote, that would be considered a landslide. Yet if a school bond vote receives similar support, it’s considered a failure.
That’s because Washington state has an archaic and undemocratic law on the books that requires local school bond votes to receive 60% support in order to pass. This is a Great Depression era policy that’s left too many students struggling to learn in deteriorating classrooms and even in dilapidated portables.
The threshold for school bonds should be set at a simple majority. This change is important so all kids can learn in safe, comfortable classrooms.
I’m a proud supporter of House Bill 1184 and House Joint Resolution 4203, which would lower the school bond threshold to a simple majority.
Many thanks to the Everett Herald editorial board for voicing their support for simple majority school bonds. This change is long overdue.
How to become a citizen advocate
Did you know that anyone can testify in committee on a bill?
Maybe you have been doing some research on the legislative website or heard about a piece of legislation on the news and you want to express your support or opposition to the bill. Maybe you have experience in the particular subject area, or you have strong feelings about a particular issue. No matter the reason for your interest, there are a few ways that you can get involved.
Here is a great step-by-step guide on how to testify in committee. You do not need to be a lobbyist, lawyer, or have any credentials to testify in committee. The guide offers some practical advice on how to prepare and make the most out of your time in front of a committee.
If you cannot make it to Olympia to testify, you can comment on a bill directly through the legislative website. You are also more than welcome to reach out to me via phone or email to make your views known.
House Democrats introduce bold Green Transportation legislation
How will Washington state lead the way when it comes to new technology and ideas for a cleaner, more sustainable transportation system? One possible answer to that question is through House Bill 2042.
The bill includes major reforms to move away from the costs and pollution of fossil fuels and toward cleaner technology, including:
- Making electric vehicles more affordable and accessible for everyone;
- Increasing the network of electric car chargers across the state;
- Helping transit agencies transition to electric buses;
- Solving the last-mile problem in mass transit, to get you from a ferry terminal, bus stop or train station to your final destination; and
- Enhancing efforts to get cars off the road through increased carpooling, vanpooling, telecommuting, walking, biking, or taking mass transit instead of driving alone to work every day.
Another piece of the solution is my bill to reduce emissions by making changes to the clean car standards and clean car program, House Bill 1999. By adopting California’s zero-emission vehicle standards and clean car standards for medium duty trucks, we will continue making progress to address our state’s biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions – the transportation sector.
This green transportation legislation works hand-in-glove with clean fuel and electricity reforms moving through the House Environment & Energy Committee.
The goal of all these related reforms is to keep Washington state a world leader on new ideas in clean technology, and to leave our children a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Thank You
Thank you all for taking to the time to read this week’s newsletter and for taking an interest in our progress in the House of Representatives. If you have any questions, inquiries, or concerns please feel free to contact me with the info below.
Sincerely,
Shelley Kloba
Representative, 1st Legislative District
Washington State Legislature