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The bill establishing Washington’s first regulations on automated license plate readers cleared a key House committee Tuesday, moving the state closer to setting privacy guardrails on surveillance technology that critics argued has been accessed by federal immigration authorities.
, sending the measure to the full House for debate. The bill passed the Senate earlier this month on a bipartisan 40-9 vote. “Currently, Washington state has no regulations on these automatic license plate readers, or ALPRs, and our goal is to ensure that this technology that serves the public safety goals for our communities still continues to protect data privacy of all Washingtonians regardless of their background,” Rep. Osman Salahuddin, D-Redmond, who shepherded the bill through committee, said. The measure would require agencies to delete most license plate data within 21 days, prohibit data collection near schools and immigration facilities, and restrict sharing information with out-of-state or federal agencies. Violations could result in gross misdemeanor charges and Consumer Protection Act penalties.“I really support the goals of the bill, but I am going to be a no today,” Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland, said. She cited concerns about penalties and the need to properly exempt traffic safety cameras, parking enforcement, and police body cameras from restrictions. Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen, R-Puyallup, said she wanted to support the bill but needed assurances that local police could continue using the cameras to solve crimes beyond the felonies currently authorized. “I was given information by my local police department with these Flock cameras, which are in place around the town, and they have had across-the-board reductions in crimes,” Jacobsen said. “They’re very wedded to these and think that they are a huge tool to help.” Salahuddin acknowledged the bill remains a work in progress, saying conversations continue with the ACLU, the City of Seattle, the Association of Washington Cities, camera vendors Flock and Axon, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Governor’s Office. “This is a complex piece of legislation. We’re not finished with our conversations to get the balance right,” he said, adding that he was “very encouraged” by Republican amendments and expects “bipartisan work on the floor.”‘It’s like Kid Rock at halftime’: Jake criticizes Patty Murray for skipping State of the Union, having her own speechTukwila joins SeaTac in banning new ICE detention centers; Seattle considers similar measure Lynnwood becomes first WA city to cancel active Flock Safety contract over privacy, immigration concernsFlights between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Puerto Vallarta are scheduled to resume Tuesday morning. According to FlightAware, the first flight to Puerto Vallarta from Seattle is set to take off at 8:13 a.m. Tuesday via Alaska Airlines. Other flights have been cleared for Tuesday afternoon and evening. The flight cancellations came after Oseguera Cervantes, known Chrystal Ortega's tireless dedication recently earned her the WSECU Community Champions Award and a $1,000 grant to further the mission.When Shawn Tibbitts opened Tibbitts FernHill, he was just trying to survive. The small Tacoma restaurant has since earned culinary awards and praise.Wilcox Family Farms is continuing its cherished holiday tradition of giving back by donating nearly one million eggs to food banks across the South Sound region this season.Matthew Ballantyne has transformed that early awareness into action, embodying the organization's mission:"No Kid Sleeps On The Floor In Our Town."Discover Kitsap County’s creative soul: Where Nordic charm meets gothic gardens and ancient traditions thrive Kitsap County is full of wonderfully weird, authentically artsy, and unexpectedly magical corners that make visitors become locals and locals never want to leave.
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