Despite widespread opposition from retailers, small businesses, and industry groups, HB 1671 has advanced out of the House Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee. While a few amendments were adopted, they fail to resolve the bill’s core flaws, leaving businesses with unclear compliance mandates, excessive legal risks, and an unworkable regulatory framework that hinders retailers’ ability to serve their customers.
This bill lacks meaningful regulatory oversight, diverges sharply from existing privacy laws in other states, and undermines consumer choice by severely restricting first-party data use. Instead of establishing balanced, enforceable privacy protections, HB 1671 opens the door for opportunistic lawsuits, allowing bad actors to exploit enforcement for financial gain rather than genuine consumer protection.
WR remains firmly opposed to HB 1671 and will continue advocating for a privacy framework that protects consumers without punishing Washington businesses. Lawmakers must work with stakeholders to craft clear, effective, and fair privacy policies that safeguard both privacy and economic growth.
