This commentary is from a group of Vermont businesses, listed below the text.
Just last month, the Vermont Senate passed reasonable data privacy legislation that ensures consumer data is secure, while at the same time fostering regional compatibility and protecting Vermont’s businesses from excessive compliance costs and litigation. We are proud to support the bill, S.71 — the New England model, and encourage our lawmakers in the House to swiftly advance it as currently written to avoid subjecting local businesses to increased costs, vague language and profit-seeking lawsuits that not only stifle innovation, but prevent them from reaching their customers.
Businesses and nonprofits want clear guidelines to ensure compliance with any new data privacy law. We shouldn’t make that harder than it needs to be. As amended and passed by the Senate, S.71 sets clear standards, definitions and guardrails for businesses to ensure consumers are empowered, even granting the option for Vermonters to opt out of certain types of data processing.
Regional compatibility is critically important for our collective efforts to grow a 21st-century economy. Vermont can’t afford to be on an island. Fortunately, our senators agreed, and we are looking to our lawmakers in the House to follow suit.
Much like privacy legislation already on the books in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut, the New England model limits the collection of consumer data to what is “adequate, relevant and reasonably necessary” for the purposes disclosed to the consumer. This language is not only regionally compatible, but consistent with California and Europe as well. We owe it to Vermont’s businesses to ensure new privacy legislation does not impact their ability to remain regionally, if not globally, competitive.
But make no mistake: under the New England model, businesses and nonprofits will still have the tools necessary to reach new customers, maintain regulars and otherwise thrive right here in the state. Digital advertising, custom online experiences, loyalty programs and other core components of modern marketing campaigns must remain intact — and affordable for smaller outfits.
At the end of the day, we have to strike a balance. The New England model sets responsible guardrails for data-driven commerce while empowering consumers and protecting Vermont’s operators from needless litigation.
Between workforce shortages, rising cost of living, and taxes, keeping the lights on is hard enough. Vermont’s businesses and nonprofits deserve clear guidance, and a chance to compete. And as the smallest economy in the United States, I know we all share the goal of climbing up the rankings — not staying at the bottom. That will take a purposeful approach to policy making, including and especially on issues like data privacy.
Last year, the Legislature tried to pass data privacy legislation that ultimately failed. We cannot afford to make the same mistake twice — let’s learn our lesson from 2024, and get behind the New England model for data privacy. We look forward to working with lawmakers in the statehouse to support this Senate-backed data privacy bill and send it to the governor’s desk. It’s imperative that the voices of businesses and nonprofits are heard loud and clear by the House this session.
A-1 Flooring
Driven Marketing
Vermont Canoe & Kayaking
Kevin Smith Sports
Creative Design
Lavoie Construction, LLC
HyperRelic Sports Cards
Stanislas Property Services
Faraday
Myti
Blade Shumway Excavating & Hardscape
Scout Digital
The Wilson House of East Dorset
KS Decorating
Rail City Plumbing and Heating
Tim Scott Real Estate
Shawn Cheney Group, LLC
TC’s LLC
Jess Driver Photography
Sierra Environmental Drilling
The Pine Cone Restaurant
First Response Labor
Tuttle’s Trucking & Recycling
Steven Wright – Jay Peak Resort
Billings Farm & Museum
Rail City Plumbing & Heating
Shumberries
Liberty Hill Farm
