OVERNIGHT TECH: Data-breach bills debated in both chambers

THE LEDE: Sens. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) reintroduced a bill Wednesday that would require firms to protect customers' personal information and alert them if that data is compromised. The legislation aims to replace the current patchwork of state data-security laws that have drawn scrutiny in the wake of a series of high-profile breaches; the Senators pointed to hacker attacks on Sony, Target, Best Buy and Walgreens as evidence of the need for a national standard.

Bono Mack joins in the act: The chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce Manufacturing subpanel used a Wednesday hearing to tout her SAFE Data Act, which is an updated version of a bill that passed the House in 2009 but stalled in the Senate. Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) released a draft of the bill Monday that would require firms to notify the Federal Trade Commission within 48 hours securing and assessing the scope of a data breach. The FTC would be able to levy fines if companies wait before notifying customers. Non-profits and charities would also be subject to the bill's requirements.

Franken unveils location privacy bill: Sens. Al Franken (D-Minn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced a bill Wednesday that would require firms including Apple and Google to obtain users' consent before collecting or sharing their mobile location data with third parties. Any firm that obtains location data from more than 5,000 mobile devices must take reasonable steps to protect and delete that data if requested by the customer. But one trade association representing e-commerce firms is already raising objections to the bill's proposed fines of $2,500 per violation.

Steve DelBianco, executive director NetChoice: “The glaring flaw in Sen. Franken's bill is that it gives plaintiff's attorneys the incentive to sue America's leading tech companies for millions of dollars over mere technical violations involving geolocation. No need for attorneys to chase ambulances anymore. The local high school bus is full of kids with smartphones — many whose geolocation is shared with their parents."

Bill would make E-Verify mandatory for all firms after two years: A bill introduced Tuesday by House Judiciary chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) would require firms to use DHS' E-Verify system to verify new hires are eligible to work in the United States. The Legal Workforce Act would require all U.S. employers to use the system, which checks the social security numbers of new hires against government databases to ensure they can work in the U.S. legally. The ACLU argues the program is error-prone and unfairly blocks some legal workers from valid employment opportunities.

On Tap Thursday: IBM CEO Samuel Palmisano will ring the opening bell at New York Stock Exchange to commemorate the firm's 100th birthday. The tech and consulting titan has a host of activities planned for the celebration.

Vice President Biden will deliver remarks at Eisenhower Executive Office Building at 10 a.m. on the administration's plan for a national, interoperable public safety broadband network. Other scheduled to appear include FCC chairman Julius Genachowski, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder.

The Congressional E-Tech Caucus is holding a staff briefing hosted by the Entertainment Software Association at Rayburn House Office Building at 4 p.m. Panelists include Craig Hagen, corporate director of government affairs for Electronic Arts, makers of the Madden series and other popular video games.

ICYMI:

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) became the first Senator with his own official iPhone app.

FCC Commissioner Michael Copps says there isn't enough content aimed at minorities on the mobile Web.

Comcast is planning to let customers Skype over their televisions.

President Obama highlighted federal broadband investments in Puerto Rico.

The head of HP's Washington office is moving on.

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