The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) is set to present its testimony and submit comments regarding Maryland's HB 1089, also known as the Data Brokers – Registry and Gross Income Tax (Building Information Guardrails Data Act of 2025), to the Maryland General Assembly. The association warns that the bill's definition of a "data broker" is overly broad, potentially affecting any business that collects personal data.
HB 1089 proposes a 6 percent tax on the gross income of data brokers. It requires these entities to register with the state and submit an annual report to the comptroller. Additionally, it aims to establish a Privacy Protection and Enforcement Unit within the Division of Consumer Protection in the Office of the Attorney General. This unit would focus on safeguarding individuals' privacy and digital rights.
Megan Stokes, State Policy Director for CCIA, commented: “While we support efforts to protect consumer privacy, HB 1089 casts too wide a net, effectively labeling nearly every Maryland business with a website as a ‘data broker.’ This bill would not only impose burdensome regulations on businesses simply for collecting basic customer information like names and addresses but could also discourage out-of-state businesses from serving Maryland residents due to potential conflicts with federal law. We urge lawmakers to reconsider the bill’s broad scope and potential legal conflicts to avoid unintended harm to Maryland’s economy and its small businesses.”
