Illustration: Rebecca Zisser/Axios
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Sen. Maria Cantwell plan to release a bipartisan data privacy bill next week, industry sources familiar with the situation tell Axios.
Why it matters: A bicameral, bipartisan privacy bill would be a major breakthrough after years of stops and starts on comprehensive data privacy.
- In the age of AI, lawmakers and industry view having baseline privacy protections ahead of any new AI legislation as key.
- The news was first reported by Punchbowl.
What's inside: Industry sources told Axios the bill includes:
- Pre-emption of existing state privacy laws, a main sticking point in negotiations.
- It may also include a private right of action for individuals to bring suit if they think their rights have been violated.
- Limits on the types of data companies can collect and use from individuals, along with new data security standards for companies to protect people from hacking.
- Language from the Kids Online Safety Act.
The intrigue: Four sources told Axios that neither House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone nor Senate Commerce Ranking Member Ted Cruz knew this announcement was coming.
Catch up quick: Pallone and CMR previously teamed up to introduce the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, but lacked support in the Senate where the focus was on protecting children online.
- The offices of Cantwell, Pallone, CMR and Cruz did not respond to requests for comment.
