Lakeland Chamber Signs Letter of Support for H.R. 8413, the "SECURE Data Act"

Recently, we asked Lakeland Chamber members if a nationwide consumer privacy law would provide clearer protections for consumers, strengthen trust, and provide greater certainty for small businesses. Most respondents either agreed or were not sure of such legislation's outcomes.

"The current state-by-state approach creates confusion for consumers and imposes significant compliance burdens on businesses, particularly small businesses. A 2022 report highlighted that a fragmented privacy landscape could cost the U.S. economy $1 trillion, with $200 billion of that burden falling on small businesses," stated Jordan Crenshaw, Senior Vice President, C_TEC, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, before Congress. "Just recently, the California Privacy Protection Agency finalized its California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) cyber, risk assessment, and automated decision-making technology, and insurance rulemaking which was estimated to cost businesses at least $4.8 billion over 10 years—with small businesses incurring annual costs of $16,377."  Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Alongside chambers of commerce from more than 40 states, the Lakeland Chamber recently  signed a letter to Congress addressing support for H.R. 8413, the “SECURE Data Act,” urging the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to advance this legislation.

The SECURE Data Act would establish a single national privacy standard with robust consumer protections that builds upon a strong framework already adopted in 20 states. Those protections include data minimization and sensitive data requirements, as well as access deletion, correction, and opt-out rights. Importantly, this legislation will also help small businesses who are disproportionately impacted by the regulatory confusion caused by a patchwork of state privacy laws.

This letter signals our support of enacting of a single national privacy standard that protects consumers and provides a workable compliance framework for businesses of all sizes.

For more information, please see the letter below.

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