I've written here lately and through time about different ugliness coming out of the very Right Wing, Republican Topeka statehouse what with the legislation they've proposed and, at times, passed lately.
As said above, Missouri, not wanting to be outdone, seems to be wanting to keep up with their bi-state counterparts. Here's the latest in the form of Senate Bill 207 and what it says:
This act requires companies that own or license personal information about Missouri residents to notify the affected individuals if the company discovers that security of the personal information has been breached. The notification must be made without unreasonable delay, but may be delayed by a law enforcement agency if the notification would compromise an investigation or homeland security.
Certain pieces of information must be included in the notification, such as the type of personal information compromised, the steps being taken to protect further breaches, and certain advice and contact information.
The act provides an exception to the notification requirements if it is determined that no risk of identity theft or other fraud to a consumer is reasonably likely to result from the breach.
Notification to affected consumers of a breach may be made in writing, via e-mail, or by telephone. In cases when the cost of notifying would exceed $250,000, when there are over 500,000 affected people to notify, when the company does not have sufficient contact information, or if the company cannot determine which consumers are affected by a breach, the company may use alternate notification procedures as described.
Companies shall notify the Attorney General in cases where the personal information of over 1,000 Missourians has been breached.
Companies that maintain their own notification procedures for security breaches that are consistent with this act shall be deemed in compliance with this act if they follow their procedures. Similarly, if a company maintains procedures for security breaches under another state's laws or federal law, and it follows those procedures, the company shall be deemed in compliance with this act.
The Attorney General has exclusive authority to bring action for actual damages for willful and knowing violations of this act as well as may seek a civil penalty of up to $150,000 per security breach.
Now, here's what this means to you and I as described by the Missouri AARP:
Senate Bill 207 is a bad idea for consumers
SB 207 would significantly expand the current Infrastructure Surcharge Replacement Surcharge (“ISRS”) to make it easier for electric utilities to raise rates up to 10% each year. AARP opposes the surcharge legislation because it will make it easier and faster for utilities to increase rates to consumers and gut the process that is designed to ensure Missouri consumers pay fair utility rates. It is questionable whether the result would create any more jobs than would occur under the current law.
Our state has ensured that our utilities are healthy and able to make necessary investments. These companies should do the work and then recover costs on the basis of quality and efficiency of that work, not ask for a short cut that disadvantages consumers.
Once again, no surprise, our legislators, this time in our statehouse, are looking out for the corporations first, instead of the people. It's legislation for the corporations and companies, not for you and me.
And as I keep saying, this will continue as long as those legislators--what are supposed to be our government representatives--need to receive "campaign contributions" from the wealthy and corporations in our society, in order to be re-elected to their posts.
It's why we need to kill campaign contributions, ladies and gentlemen, and why we need to work and work hard to end them. This will only happen if we demand it.
In the meantime, as the AARP says at their site, "Tell your state senator to oppose SB207 today!"
Link to contact your state Senator here: Missouri State Government
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