With almost no discussion, the 23rd Legislature is about to pass one of the most far-reaching measures of its tenure: the Technology Enterprise Act of 2000. The 180-page proposal attempts to lay down the law in virtually all aspects of commercial Internet use and electronic information communication.
The bill is being considered in the closing days of the Legislature, along with a bevy of budget bills which have totally overshadowed it. It was approved last week by the Finance Committee and is scheduled to be heard by Rules on Wednesday.
Among other things, the bill establishes a Bureau of Information Technology(BIT, as in computer lingo), provides for taxpayers to file certain government forms electronically, prohibits cable providers from discriminating against competitors in Internet access, protects consumers against junk e-mail, regulates contracts made electronically, and provides for the use of electronic signatures for most legal documents.
The coordinator of BIT would be charged with developing a comprehensive technology strategy for the government for a period of at least five years. The strategy would include the centralization of data centers, and would provide access to public records in all three branches of the government through personal computers, while protecting confidential government information.
Additionally, the bill provides that by July 1, 2002, the government would allow residents to use electronic mail to register their cars, renew a driver's license, file income and other taxes, apply for unemployment, bid on a government contract, and conduct many other transactions with the government.
In one section, the measure sets out rules for licensing computer information, including software, databases and computerized music. And it regulates access contracts to sites containing computer information.
It contains consumer protection provisions, including language designed to cut down on unsolicited advertising or other junk fax and e-mail. Anyone sending out such material must clearly label it and must include either a toll-free telephone number (for faxed material) or an e-mail return address so consumers can respond and notify the sender not to send any more.
Advertising messages must be labeled "ADV:" or, if aimed exclusively at persons over age 18, "ADV:ADLT."
The bill also makes it illegal to stalk or harass anyone electronically, just as it is illegal to do so in person or by telephone.
Another section redefines newspapers to include electronic publications.
In a section called Nondiscriminatory Access, the bill states that any cable operator holding a franchise to provide cable service "shall provide to any requesting Internet service provider access to its broadband Internet access transport services, unbundled from the provision of content, on rates, terms and conditions that are at least as favorable as those on which it provides such access to itself, its affiliates or any other person."
