In a recent decision, the Vermont Senate upheld Governor Phil Scott’s veto of a comprehensive state data privacy bill with a narrow 15-14 vote. The bill, which aimed to establish one of the strongest state-level privacy protections in the U.S., would have granted individuals the unprecedented right to sue companies for violating data privacy laws. Despite a significant majority in the House of Representatives supporting the override, the legislature failed to achieve the two-thirds majority required in both chambers to overturn the veto.
The proposed legislation included several ambitious measures, such as granting a private right of action for consumers to sue companies mishandling personal data. This provision, along with other features like strict data protection rules and regulations on internet content for children, was intended to set a high standard for data privacy. The bill’s supporters argued that it would have offered substantial protections against data breaches and misuse, making it a pioneering effort among state privacy laws.
Governor Scott’s veto was influenced by concerns that the bill’s extensive provisions, particularly the private right of action, would create significant legal and financial risks for businesses operating in Vermont. He argued that the bill’s broad definitions and requirements could impose undue burdens on small and mid-sized businesses and potentially drive them away from the state.
In response to the bill’s failure, its sponsor, Democratic Representative Monique Priestley, vowed to continue the fight for stronger privacy protections. She criticized the intense lobbying efforts by the tech industry that she believes contributed to the bill’s defeat. Despite this setback, Priestley and other advocates plan to regroup and push for future privacy legislation, underscoring their commitment to enhancing consumer data rights and protections.
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