Bay State News

Last week marked the beginning of hearings in the Massachusetts legislature after a slow start to the year. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) provided testimony on two significant bills during these sessions.

NFIB expressed concerns about data privacy legislation to the Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet, and Cyber Security. "While we know many small business owners understandably want their own data kept private," NFIB noted, they were worried about the legislation creating "a new private right of action." According to NFIB, this could result in small businesses facing frivolous lawsuits. They proposed an alternative approach to data security law enforcement via the Attorney General.

The NFIB also backed a separate bill presented before the Joint Committee on Judiciary. This bill aims to amend the state constitution, prohibiting eminent domain land takings for purposes of economic development, commercial enterprise, or private use. Citing actions by forty-seven other states following the Kelo vs. New London Supreme Court case, NFIB encouraged Massachusetts legislators to join this movement: "prevent the practice of taking private property from some private citizens without their consent and transferring it to other private parties."

Further, NFIB concluded its "Beacon Hill Broke It, Beacon Hill Should Fix It" campaign, focused on the state's UI system. Though the radio, digital, and print advertisements have ended, NFIB plans to continue efforts to reform the state UI system, emphasizing leniency in eligibility and high benefits. They remain committed to urging members to contact legislators to support small business reforms. More information is available at protectmassachusettssmallbusiness.org.