The House Government Reform Committee is mulling over legislation that would create a federal privacy czar. It will hold hearings on the measure later this year when Congress returns from its summer recess.
Late last month, Rep. Tom Davis (D-VA) introduced the bill that would establish a federal Office of Information Policy to be headed by the privacy czar, or Federal Chief Information Officer. He or she would work with the Office of Information Security and Technical Protection created by the legislation.
The Direct Marketing Association is reviewing the legislation and “has not yet taken a position on it,” said Richard A. Barton, senior vice president, Congressional Matters. He was unable to say just when the DMA will reveal its support or opposition to the measure.
Davis said his legislation “will force the federal government to put its house in order and become a reliable public partner” in protecting personal privacy.
He also described the measure as the logical complement to the Cyber Security Information Act (HR-4246) which he and Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) introduced in April.
That bill, which is awaiting possible action by the Government Reform Committee, would establish procedures through which the government would partner with private enterprise to ensure the protection of personal information in their respective databanks.
In a related development the full House is expected next month to vote on a bill that would create a special 17-member panel to study national personal privacy issues for 18 months before filing a report with Congress recommending any possible legislative action increasing individual privacy protections.
That measure, the Privacy Commission Act (HR-4049) which has been endorsed by the Government Reform Committee, is co-sponsored by Reps. Moran and Asa Hutchinson (R-AR).
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