Letter to Washington State House of Representatives
March 10, 2007
To: Honorable Members of the Washington State House of Representatives
Re: Opposition to HB 1031- Electronic Devices
We respectfully ask you to oppose House Bill 1031 related to electronic communications devices and specifically the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Burdensome regulation of emerging technologies like RFID is not in the best interest of Washington State which prides itself on innovation and technological development. Public policy decisions that restrict use of technologies create the potential to impede the current and yet unknown benefits of its use.
Our points of concern include:
• Overbroad definitions, such as “personal information” and “electronic communication device”
• Failure to distinguish between applications of RFID – retail use and secure identification documents
• Unnecessary and burdensome notification rules
• Requirements that may harm consumers
• Onerous burdens on small business
Successful deployment of RFID can bring significant benefit to Washingtonians; access for first responders in emergency situations, ease of secure identification, authentication of pharmaceuticals, better supply at local stores, lower product cost, and theft protection, to name just a few. We ask you not to move forward with this legislation and are available to provide you with further information on RFID technology.
Respectfully submitted,
AeA (American Electronics Association)
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
Amerisource – Bergen Corporation
Association of Washington Business
Bank of America
Cingular/AT&T Wireless
Comcast
EPCglobal Inc.
Food Marketing Institute
General Motors Corporation
Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Product Association
HDMA (Healthcare Distribution Management Association)
Hewlett-Packard Company
HID Global
Infineon Technologies North America Corp.
Information Technology Association of America (ITAA)
Independent Business Association (IBA)
McKesson Corporation
Motorola
NACDS (National Association of Chain Drug Stores)
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
Northwest Grocery Association
NXP Semiconductors
Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
Sprint/Nextel
Texas Instruments
Verizon Communications
Verizon Wireless
Washington Electronic Business and Telecommunication Coalition
Washington Farm Bureau
Washington State Hospital Association
Washington Restaurant Association
Washington Retail Association
WSA
To: Honorable Members of the Washington State House of Representatives
Re: Opposition to HB 1031- Electronic Devices
We respectfully ask you to oppose House Bill 1031 related to electronic communications devices and specifically the use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. Burdensome regulation of emerging technologies like RFID is not in the best interest of Washington State which prides itself on innovation and technological development. Public policy decisions that restrict use of technologies create the potential to impede the current and yet unknown benefits of its use.
Our points of concern include:
• Overbroad definitions, such as “personal information” and “electronic communication device”
• Failure to distinguish between applications of RFID – retail use and secure identification documents
• Unnecessary and burdensome notification rules
• Requirements that may harm consumers
• Onerous burdens on small business
Successful deployment of RFID can bring significant benefit to Washingtonians; access for first responders in emergency situations, ease of secure identification, authentication of pharmaceuticals, better supply at local stores, lower product cost, and theft protection, to name just a few. We ask you not to move forward with this legislation and are available to provide you with further information on RFID technology.
Respectfully submitted,
AeA (American Electronics Association)
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
Amerisource – Bergen Corporation
Association of Washington Business
Bank of America
Cingular/AT&T Wireless
Comcast
EPCglobal Inc.
Food Marketing Institute
General Motors Corporation
Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Product Association
HDMA (Healthcare Distribution Management Association)
Hewlett-Packard Company
HID Global
Infineon Technologies North America Corp.
Information Technology Association of America (ITAA)
Independent Business Association (IBA)
McKesson Corporation
Motorola
NACDS (National Association of Chain Drug Stores)
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)
Northwest Grocery Association
NXP Semiconductors
Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
Sprint/Nextel
Texas Instruments
Verizon Communications
Verizon Wireless
Washington Electronic Business and Telecommunication Coalition
Washington Farm Bureau
Washington State Hospital Association
Washington Restaurant Association
Washington Retail Association
WSA