For Immediate Release
Friday, April 30, 2021
Contact
Sarah Bascom, sarah@bascomllc.com,850.294.6636
Kristen Grissom, kgrissom@bascomllc.com, 850.814.9454
Tallahassee, Fla.—The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today released the following statement attributed to its Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs Brewster Bevis regarding data privacy legislation considered by the Florida Legislature this session.
“AIF and our members would like to congratulate Senate President Wilton Simpson, House Speaker Chris Sprowls, and the entire Florida Legislature on a successful and productive legislative session that advanced policies to support Florida businesses and ensure our state continues on a path of prosperity.
“We would also like to thank the Legislature for listening to the concerns that Florida’s business community had with proposed data privacy legislation, House Bill 969 and Senate Bill 1734, and for ultimately not passing a bill this session. We especially appreciate the bill sponsors, Senator Jennifer Bradley and Representative Fiona McFarland, for working with us on this issue and allowing the business community to provide input and feedback throughout the process.
“The legislation presented this session would have put a significant financial burden on Florida’s businesses who are already dealing with the challenges of COVID-19 and facing the implementation of an increase in minimum wage, which could have had dramatic effects on our state’s economy. Additionally, the proposed private cause of action would have opened a Pandora’s box of costly class actions lawsuits for these businesses.
“However, as responsible Florida companies, protecting consumers’ data is of the utmost importance to AIF and our members. We are committed to working with the Legislature to address this issue, and as such, AIF will convene a group of businesses to work on the issue in the coming months and develop policy recommendations.
“We look forward to continued conversations on this important issue and working together on a solution that appropriately balances the needs and concerns of both consumers and businesses.”
Known as “The Voice of Florida Business” in the Sunshine State, Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) has represented the principles of prosperity and free enterprise before the three branches of state government since 1920. A voluntary association of diversified businesses, AIF was created to foster an economic climate in Florida conducive to the growth, development, and welfare of industry and business and the people of the state.
For more information on AIF, please visit AIF.com and follow @VoiceofFLBiz.
# # #
back