Author: Allie Caccamo

In advance of Friday’s hearing in the Maryland House Environment & Transportation Committee on a proposed statewide delivery tax (HB 1215), Chamber of Progress is releasing new polling showing strong public opposition to the measure.   The survey – interviewing 769 Maryland voters over February 23-24, by Public Policy Polling – found that two-thirds of Maryland… Continue reading New Maryland Polling Shows Opposition to Proposed Delivery Tax

After the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in NetChoice v. Paxton and Moody v. NetChoice, join a briefing with experts in internet law from Chamber of Progress, the ACLU, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. The press conference, scheduled for 1:30PM ET on Monday, February 26, will provide early analysis of… Continue reading Post-SCOTUS Hearing: Civil Rights, Tech Groups Share Analysis

On Thursday, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released new legislative text for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) as well as a list of additional sponsors. The latest changes fail to address two primary concerns with the legislation, including its empowerment of far-right attorneys general to censor online resources, and warnings that… Continue reading New KOSA Bill Text Fails to Address Problems

Maryland lawmakers have introduced delivery tax legislation – HB 1215, by Del. Marc Korman – that would add 50¢ to the cost of every online grocery, retail, and takeout order. The proposed delivery tax is regressive, meaning its impact would fall disproportionately on low-income families, especially Marylanders who live in food deserts or who rely… Continue reading Proposed Delivery Tax Hits Maryland Consumers and Businesses

As Maryland lawmakers prepare today for a hearing on social media legislation, a coalition of LGBTQ+ and tech organizations are pushing back on their proposed bill. In a letter sent this week, the coalition urges Maryland legislators to consider how SB 571 / HB 603 would isolate and censor marginalized youth, including members of the… Continue reading LGBTQ and Tech Groups Push Back on MD Social Media Bill

On Thursday, Sen. Scott Weiner introduced artificial intelligence legislation (SB 1047) that would create a new division within the Department of Technology to certify AI models before they can be trained. Under the legislation, certification requirements would apply to AI models that exceed the performance benchmarks set by other AI models subject to certification. The… Continue reading New Calif. Bill Requires AI Licensing

On Tuesday, Sens. Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin pushed for fast-tracked passage of the STOP CSAM Act, legislation that would enable individuals to sue online platforms for hosting CSAM content. The legislation, which has faced opposition from a range of civil liberties organizations for its impacts on marginalized youth, was blocked by Sen. Ron Wyden.… Continue reading STOP CSAM Bill Fails in Senate Fast-Track Attempt

At a press conference on Friday, Senator Dave Cortese pushed for new legislation allowing local cities and municipalities to ban autonomous vehicles (AVs) on local streets, despite new research showing that AVs are safer than human drivers. Last year was one of California’s deadliest for roadway fatalities, largely because of human behaviors including distracted driving,… Continue reading CA Autonomous Vehicle Ban Would Perpetuate Traffic Safety Crisis

On Monday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Senator Nancy Skinner, and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks introduced two new social media bills limiting access to social media for users who are minors.  SB 976 would default social media users under 18 to a chronological feed, rewarding posters who upload high volumes of content rather than quality content.… Continue reading CA Lawmakers Intro Social Media Bills Censoring Teen Access to Digital Content