Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) has eight task forces:


 * the Civil Justice Task Force,
 * the Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force,
 * the Communications and Technology Task Force,
 * the Education Task Force,
 * the Energy, Environment and Agriculture Task Force,
 * the Health and Human Services Task Force,
 * the International Relations Task Force, and
 * the Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force.

(Until it was disbanded in April 2012, ALEC also operated a Public Safety and Elections Task Force, which adopted such "model" bills as the "Stand Your Ground" bill or "Castle Law" doctrine and the voter ID act.)

This article is about ALEC's Communications and Technology Task Force (formerly the "Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force" ). Corporations can join this task force for $5000 a year. For model legislation crafted and adopted by the Communications Technology Task Force, go here and here.

2013 States and Nation Policy Summit Substantive Agenda
The following "model" bills were proposed for the Washington, DC conference:


 * "Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act" (PDF, p. 36)
 * "Resolution to Support the Work of Telehealth Working Group on Interstate Compact" (PDF, p. 39)
 * "Resolution Affirming the Digital Right to Repair" (PDF, p. 21)
 * "Act Protecting Digital Equipment Owners and Small Businesses in Repairing Digital Electronic Equipment" (PDF, p. 23)
 * "Consumer Protection Through Disclosure of Digital Rights Model Act" (PDF, p. 28)
 * "Statement of Principles for Cybersecurity" (PDF, p. 18)
 * "Statement of Principles for the Electronic Communications Privacy Act" (PDF, p. 37)
 * "Data Privacy Protection Act" (PDF, p. 11)

The following presentations and discussions were planned for the conference:


 * Spotlight on the States Panel: "Promoting Broadband, Protecting Privacy, and Growing E-Commerce in the States"
 * 21st Century Technology Issues Panel: "What State Policymakers Need to Know About Congress, Startups, Copyright, and Emerging Technologies"
 * "Bitcoin: Primer for Policymakers"
 * "State University Public-Private Partnerships: How State Universities Help Businesses Deliver Market-Ready Solutions"
 * "Critical Infrastructure: Securing the Nation's Backbone"
 * "Interconnection: Technology and Policy"

2012 ALEC Winter Task Force Summit Substantive Agenda
The following "model" bills were proposed at the Washington, DC conference:


 * "Broadband and Telecommunications Deployment Act" (This proposal "seeks to provide greater clarity regarding conditions and fees that can lawfully be imposed on telecommunications providers relating to their use of such public rights-of-way.")


 * "Local Cellular Phone Preemption Act" (This proposal states that "a city, county or other local government may not enact or enforce any charter provision, ordinance, resolution or other provision regulating the use of cellular telephones in motor vehicles.")


 * "Parity and Certainty in Regulatory Treatment of High Speed Internet Access Services and Broadband Services and Providers Act" (This proposal "provides for regulatory parity and certainty at the state level in the critical areas of high-speed Internet access services and broadband services.")


 * "Collocation & Streamlined Tower Siting Act" (This proposal "promotes and encourages the collocation of wireless facilities by revising and streamlining the approval process for additions to existing tower sites and expediting the permitting process for new sites.")


 * "Wireless Competition Act" (This proposal "promotes and encourages wireless telephone competition by preventing unnecessary and burdensome regulation by the state utilities commission.")


 * "Cable and Video Competition Act" (This proposal "provides for regulatory certainty at the state level in the critical areas of cable and video services with respect to the authority of Competitive Cable Service Providers and Video Service Providers to use the public rights of way to provide Cable Service or Video Service and to promote competitive entry by all Competitive Cable Service Providers and Video Service Providers.")


 * "Phone Records Act" (This proposal contains several statutes relating to, "obtaining, selling, or soliciting a telephone record that pertains to another person without the person’s consent and providing a penalty.")


 * "Enabling Legislation for Public-Private Electronic Information Network Partnerships" (This proposal "authorizes public entities to establish state boards, commissions and authorities with, but not exclusive to private sector, the private sector for the purpose of providing electronic access for members of the public to public information of agencies via a gateway service.")


 * "Remote Video Court Appearance Act" (This proposal "allows the court to dispense with the personal appearance of a defendant, except an appearance at a hearing or trial, and conduct an electronic appearance by means of an fully interactive audio-visual system.")


 * "Distance Learning: Wiring the Public Schools Act" (This proposal seeks "to establish a state distance learning policy, provide distance learning teacher certification, retrofit old classrooms, and provide technology for new classrooms.")


 * "Distance Learning Commission Act" (This proposal supports "policy that maximizes infrastructure development and full public access at affordable costs.")


 * "Telecommunications Regulatory Reform Act" (This proposal "encourag[es] the investment to develop and deploy new technologies and services, enhancing existing technologies and services, and accelerating efficient network operations management.")


 * "Resolution on United States Encryption Export Restrictions" (This proposal "supports efforts to immediately relax current United States export control laws governing cryptographic products to a level which is readily available in the global market.")


 * "A Resolution Regarding the Regulation of Intrastate Telecommunications Services in Healthy and Sustainable Competitive Environments" (This proposal is in "support of minimal, competitively neutral state and federal regulation of all telecommunications providers, including incumbent and competitive wireline carriers, wireless carriers and cable telephony providers.")


 * "Resolution to Restate State Sovereignty" (The proposal "is designed to affirm the powers reserved to the States under the 10th Amendment of the United States Constitution.")


 * "Electronic Data Protection Act" (Presented by Rep. Garry Smith of South Carolina) (This proposal "aims to provide some clarity for the courts, law enforcement, and consumers by stating that a warrant or express written consent is required prior to search of wireless communications device incident to arrest.")


 * "A Resolution Supporting Additional Commercial Spectrum" (Presented by Sen. Deb Peters of South Dakota) (This proposal "urges Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to use market-based mechanisms to free up [commercial] spectrum.")


 * "Resolution in Support of Electric Power Grid Modernization" (Presented by Brad Viator) (This proposal "establishes seven foundational principles for electric power grid modernization.")

2012 ALEC Spring Task Force Summit Substantive Agenda
The May 2012 ALEC Spring Task Force Summit was held in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The following model bills were adopted at Charlotte and then were sent on to the ALEC board for approval:


 * "Facilitating Business Rapid Response to State Declared Disaster Act" (presented by Wayne Fonteix of AT&T) ("This act amends the state and public services law, state law, and tax law pertaining to declared disasters...")

2011 ALEC Winter Task Force Summit Substantive Agenda
No new legislation was proposed at the Scottsdale conference.

2011 ALEC Summer Task Force Summit Substantive Agenda
The following model bills were proposed at the New Orleans conference:


 * "Resolution in Support of Federal Efforts to Address Rogue Internet Sites that Sell Counterfeit Products and Facilitate Digital Theft" (Presented by The Global Intellectual Property Center) (This proposal "supports efforts by the U.S. Congress to enact The PROTECT IP Act... or similar companion legislation, which will help the Justice Department to combat rogue websites that traffic in pirated music, movies and counterfeit goods and make it more difficult for rogue websites to operate.")


 * "Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Resolution" (Presented by Sen. Wayne Niederhauser of Utah) (This proposal "encourages states to join the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax system. This system would allow states to collect sales taxes on out of state businesses while conforming their sales tax statutes to a single, uniform system.")


 * "Resolution Adopting the 10 Elements of High-Quality Digital Learning" (presented by Sen. Rich Crandall of Arizona) (This resolution proposes "that [State] adopts the Digital Learning Council’s 10 Elements of High Quality Digital Learning... It is the will of the Legislature that the Elements shall be incorporated as necessary though future legislation as well as immediate state regulation, strategic planning, guidelines and/or procedures on the part of the [State Education Agency], local education agencies, and any other relevant public or private bodies.")

2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Substantive Agenda
From the 2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Program: "...the...Task Force shall meet to hear presentations from noted experts and leaders on timely topics including state responses to data breaches, broadband deployment, and First Amendment protections for video games...the Task Force will consider legislation dealing with current issues in the taxation of online retails sales, telephone regulation, and intellectual property."

Subcommittees

 * E-Commerce Subcommittee
 * Innovation Subcommittee
 * Information Technology Subcommittee
 * Consumer Protection, Critical Infrastructure, and Security Technologies Subcommittee
 * Broadband Subcommittee
 * Joint Working Group on 21st Century Commerce and Taxation
 * Model Legislation Review Working Group

Co-Chairs

 * Blair Thoreson (R-ND), Public Sector Chair
 * Bartlett Cleland (Institute for Policy Innovation), Private Sector Chair

The Institute for Policy Innovation is a Texas-based think tank founded by Dick Armey that Politico describes as "known for its economic analysis of pending and proposed changes in tax policy, with its emphasis on free markets, limited government, supply-side economics and dynamic scoring. IPI focuses on issues of taxation, technology, education reform, and government regulation." The Center for Technology Freedom was created when Bartlett Cleland joined IPI. On its website, IPI states that it is funded "wholly by contributions from individuals, businesses and other non-profit foundations." According to its 2009 Form 990, IPI received almost $1 million in donations and foundation grants.<Institute for Policy Innovation Form 990, IRS filing, March 3, 2010

Corporate, Trade or Other Group Members

 * Rick Cimerman (Senior Director, State Telecommunications Policy) presented on "Current Cable Industry Issues in the States at the FCC" at the 2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force Meeting
 * Kelly Cobb (Model Legislation Review Working Group) introduced motions to strike the "Resolutionon MFJ Restrictions and IntraLATA Information Services," "Resolution in Favor of Unrestricted Caller*ID" and the "Resolution Lifting the MFJ Restriction on Long Distance Services" at the 2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force Meeting
 * Larry Downes (Senior Adjunct Fellow, TechFreedom) presented on "The Laws of Disruption: Harnessing the New Forces that Govern Life and Business in the Digital Age" at the 2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force Meeting
 * Mark Elliot (Executive Vice President, Global Intellectual Property Center of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce) introduced the "Resolution in Support of Federal Efforts to Address Rogue Internet Sites that Sell Counterfeit Products and Facilitate Digital Theft" at the 2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force Meeting
 * Wayne Fonteix (Regional Vice President of State and Local Government Affairs, AT&T) presented on "The AT&T-T-Mobile Merger: A Status Report" at the 2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force Meeting
 * Dan Hewitt (spokesman, Entertainment Software Association) presented on "The First Amendment and Constitutional Protections for Video Games" at the 2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force Meeting
 * Andrew Kovalcin (Director of Stakeholder Advocacy, Global Intellectual Property Center of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce) introduced the "Resolution in Support of Federal Efforts to Address Rogue Internet Sites that Sell Counterfeit Products and Facilitate Digital Theft" at the 2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force Meeting
 * John Nothdurft (Legislative Specialist on Budget and Tax Policy, Heartland Institute) presented a "Report from the Joint Working Group on 21st Century Commerce and Taxation" at the 2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force Meeting
 * Steven Titch (Policy Analyst, Reason Foundation) presented on "Federal and State Efforts to Mandate Privacy" at the 2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Telecommunications & Information Technology Task Force Meeting
 * AT&T
 * Comcast
 * Entertainment Software Association
 * Global Intellectual Property Center (an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
 * Heartland Institute
 * National Cable and Telecommunications Association
 * Reason Foundation
 * TechFreedom (self-described "non-profit, non-partisan technology policy think tank" )
 * U.S. Chamber of Commerce
 * Google
 * Facebook
 * Yelp
 * Yahoo!

Politician Members

 * Sen. Rich Crandall (R-AZ), introduced model "Resolution Adopting the 10 Elements of High-Quality Digital Learning" at the 2011 ALEC Annual Meeting Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Force meeting
 * Eric Koch (R-IN)
 * Phil Montgomery (R-WI; Secretary, ALEC Board of Directors)
 * Rep. Connie Doepke (R-33B), Member
 * Rep. Paul Farrow (R-98), Member
 * Sen. Randy Hopper (legislator)|Randy B. Hopper]] (R-18), Member
 * Rep. Joseph Knilans (R-44), Member
 * Eric Koch (R-IN), Member (2009),
 * Rep. Tom Larson (R-67), Member
 * Phil Montgomery (R-WI; Secretary, ALEC Board of Directors), Member (2009),
 * Sen. Mike Parry (R-26), Member
 * Rep. Jeff Dial (AZ R-20)
 * Rep. Rep. Terri Proud (AZ R-26))
 * Rep. Bob Robson (AZ R-20)
 * Rep. David W. Stevens (AZ R-25)
 * Rep. Mary P. Hickerson (AR R-1)
 * Sen. Jake Carter Files (AR R-13)
 * Sen. Joel Anderson (CA R-36), State Chairman
 * Rep. Mark Waller (CO R-15)
 * Rep. Rosa C. Rebimbas (CN R-70)
 * Rep. Calvin Hill (GA R-21), State Chairman
 * Rep. Don L. Parsons (GA R-42)
 * Rep. Buzz Brockway (GA R-101)
 * Rep. Barry D. Loudermilk (GA R-14)
 * Sen. John E. Albers (GA R-56)
 * Sen. Nan G. Orrock (GA D-36)
 * Rep. Jim Patrick (ID R-23), Member
 * Rep. Mike Fortner (IL R-95), Member
 * Rep. David Forrest Winters (IL R-68), Member
 * Rep. Eric Koch (IN R-65), Member
 * Sen. Brian J. Quirk (IA D-15)
 * Rep. Forrest Knox (KS R-13)
 * Rep. Joe Seiwert (KS R-101)
 * Rep. Phil Hermanson (KS R-96)
 * Sen. Garrett Love (KS R-38)
 * Sen. Mike Petersen (KS R-28)
 * Sen. Carroll Gibson (KY R-5)
 * Sen. Jimmy Higdon (KY R-14)
 * Sen. Kathy W. Stein (KY D-13)
 * Sen. Walter Blevins, Jr (KY D-27)
 * Sen. Gerald A. Neal (KY D-33)
 * Rep. Gary L. Smith, Jr. (LA R-77))
 * Rep. Hollis Downs (LA R-12)
 * Rep. Brett F. Geymann (LA R-35)
 * Rep. Franklin J. Foil (LA R-70)
 * Rep. Jim W. Tucker (LA R-86)
 * Sen. Neil Riser (LA R-32)
 * Sen. Michael D. Thibodeau (ME R-23)
 * Rep. James M. Hamper (ME R-100)
 * Del. Mark N. Fisher (MD R-27B)
 * Rep. Connie Doepke (MN R-33B), Member
 * Sen. Mike Parry (MN R-26), Member
 * Rep. Tommy Woods (MI R-52)
 * Rep. Lester Carpenter (MI R-1)
 * Rep. Gary V. Staples (MI R-88)
 * Rep. Philip A. Gunn (MI R-56)
 * Sen. Giles Ward (MI R-18)
 * Rep. Rodney Schad (MO R-115)
 * Rep. Cole McNary (MO R-86)
 * Rep. Darrell L. Pollock (MO R-146)
 * Rep. John J. Diehl, Jr. (MO R-87)
 * Rep. Zachary Wyatt (MO R-2)
 * Rep. Scott Reichner (MT R-9), State Chairman
 * Sen. Llewelyn C. Jones (MT R-14)
 * Sen. Deb Strobel Fischer (NE 43)
 * Sen. Jeremy J. Nordquist (NE 21)
 * Sen. Ken Haar (NE 21);
 * Sen. Dean A. Rhoads (NE R-Rural Nevada), Member
 * Rep. Robert E. Introne (NH R-3), Member
 * Rep. Thomas A. Anderson (NM R-29), Member
 * Rep. Daniel F. McComas (NC R-19), Member
 * Rep. Tim Moffitt (NC R-116), Alternate
 * Rep. Scott Louser (ND R-5), Member
 * Sen. Dave Nething (ND R-12), Member
 * Rep. Ron Amstutz (OH R-3),, Alternate
 * Rep. James Butler (OH R-37), Alternate
 * Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (OH R-86), Member
 * Rep. Michael Stinziano (OH D-25), Member
 * Rep. Peter A. Beck (OH R-67), Member
 * Rep. Dan Kirby (OR R-75), Alternate
 * Rep. Tom Newell (OR R-28), Alternate
 * Rep. Charles D. Key (OR R-90), Member
 * Rep. Weldon L. Watson (OR R-79), Member
 * Sen. Cliff Branan (OR R-40), Member
 * Rep. John Evans (PA R-5), ALEC State Chairman and Member
 * Rep. Seth Grove (PA R-196), Member
 * Rep. William E. Sandifer, III (SC R-2) and Member
 * Rep. Joan B. Brady (SC R-78), Alternate
 * Rep. George M. Hearn (SC R-105), Member
 * Sen. Kent M. Williams (SC D-30), Member
 * Rep. Roger D. Solum (SD R-5), Member
 * Sen. Deb Peters (SD R-9), Member
 * Sen. Tom Hansen (SD R-22), Member
 * Rep. Curry Todd (TN R-95), ALEC State Chairman, Member of ALEC Board of Directors Member
 * Rep. Bob Ramsey, (TN R-20) Alternate
 * Rep. Johnny Richard Montgomery (TN R-12), Member
 * Rep. Steve K. McDaniel (TN R-72), Member
 * Rep. Charles F. Howard (TX R-26), Member
 * Rep. Aaron Pena (TX R-40), Member
 * Rep. Vicki Truitt (TX R-98), Alternate
 * Rep. Patricia Harless (TX R-126), Alternate
 * Rep. Ken W. Paxton (TX R-70), Alternate
 * Sen. Chris J. Harris (TX R-9), Member
 * Rep. Todd E. Kiser (UT R-41), Member
 * Rep. Ryan Wilcox (UT R-7), Member
 * Rep. Brad L. Dee (UT R-11), Member
 * Del. Terry G. Kilgore (VA R-1), Member
 * Del. Kathy J. Byron (VA R-22), Member
 * Del. Watkins M. Abbitt, Jr. (VA I-59), Alternate
 * Del. Barbara J. Comstock (VA R-34), Alternate
 * Sen. Thomas K. Norment, Jr. (VA R-3), Member
 * Rep. Paul Farrow (WI R-98), Member
 * Rep. Joseph Knilans (WI R-44), Member
 * Rep. Tom Larson (WI R-67), Member
 * Sen. Randy Hopper (legislator)|Randy B. Hopper]] (WI R-18), Member

Staff

 * John Stephenson, Director
 * Seth Cooper, former Director
 * David Myslinski, former Legislative Assistant