Data privacy regulators lobby lawmakers to not draft federal legislation preempting state laws

California Privacy Protection Agency head Tom Kemp and New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin urged a House Energy and Commerce GOP working group to avoid federal preemption of state privacy laws, arguing states provide stronger and interoperable protections and should be allowed to exceed a federal floor. Their stance counters industry groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, that seek a uniform federal law preempting state rules, with industry proposals aligning more closely to weaker state frameworks such as Kentucky’s rather than stronger ones like California’s. The piece highlights ongoing tension between state leadership on privacy and industry calls for a single national standard.