The cybersecurity measure, AB 1043, would update current legislation, which allows political candidates and officeholders to use campaign funds to purchase electronic security systems only if they have received verified threats to their physical safety because of their political status. The Federal Elections Commission (FEC) issued an advisory opinion in December clarifying that federal officeholders may use campaign funds to pay for cybersecurity protection for personal devices and accounts.
The bill has the support of California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, who told The Washington Post: "We saw what this cyberthreat looks like on a big public level in 2016," referring to the hacking of emails. He said he planned to promote the bill to his counterparts in other states, and he said it’s a “no-brainer” that those states should pursue similar measures.
The bill states: "Unlike physical threats, cyberattacks often occur without warning as hackers test accounts and devices for entry points that can be exploited. Often, there is no evidence for users if their device or account has been compromised until the secured information is leaked or sold."
Irwin, a member of the bipartisan California Legislative Technology and Innovation Caucus, has also introduced a bill that clarifies and tightens regulation of drones, while prohibiting local jurisdictions from outright banning them. Irwin’s goal of establishing a statewide regulatory framework is to protect public safety, indemnify jurisdictions against lawsuits under certain circumstances, and codify registration requirements.
Her measure, AB 1190, has the support of the League of California Cities.
The measure would, among other things:
- Prohibit a state or local agency from adopting any law or regulation that bans the operation of an unmanned aircraft system.
- Include the operation of drones within the definition of “hazardous recreational activity” for purposes of public entity liability.
- Authorize a state or local agency to enforce a requirement that drones be properly registered under existing federal regulations. It would also authorize a state or local agency to require an unmanned aircraft operator to provide proof of federal, state, or local registration to licensing or enforcement officials.
The bill was introduced two weeks ago and has had a first reading, and both the drones bill and the cybersecurity bill may be heard in committee on March 24.
