For Immediate Release
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
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 President and CEO Brewster Bevis regarding the Florida House of Representatives passing House Bill 9 related to Consumer Data Privacy.
"As responsible Florida companies, protecting consumers’ data is of the utmost importance to AIF and our members. We support putting regulatory safeguards in place to prevent bad actors from trading in the misuse of consumer data. However, House Bill 9, as passed by the Florida House today, also targets legitimate businesses who responsibly use consumer data to the benefit of those consumers. This will result in substantial compliance, operational, and potential private litigation costs – up to $21 billion according to a Florida TaxWatch analysis – for Florida businesses.
“This would put a significant financial burden on businesses who are already grappling with the ongoing challenges of COVID-19, the implementation of an increase in minimum wage, a broken supply chain, hyperinflation, rising gas prices and a staffing shortage crisis. We expect the impact of this legislation, if it is ultimately passed in this form, to have dramatic effects on businesses and our state’s economy.”
“As the bill now goes to the Florida Senate for its consideration, we look forward to continued conversations on this issue and the importance of taking a thoughtful, tailored approach to protecting the private data of Floridians that considers the needs of Florida 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.
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