The House of Representatives passed SB 1291 and 1292, bills that would provide for regulation of a new product on the market that allows any web access device to be used to remotely control security and other devices (heater/air conditioner, etc) in a home or business.  While the senate passed version of the bills are not perfect, we were able to work with the bill sponsor and the industry to put in a few amendments to help minimize the impact this has on our locals. The League was successful in getting the restrictive fees taken out of the introduced bill so local communities can charge what they need to in order to run the program.  The League also worked to narrow the local preemption language and is reflected in the version that passed the full Senate. 

The House adopted an H-4, and the bills now go back to the Senate for concurrence.

Nikki Brown is a Legislative Associate for the League handling economic development issues.  She can be reached at [email protected] or 517-908-0305