Posts by Colby Williams, Policy Advisor, SIA
U.S. Department of Education Launches New $93 Million School Security Grant Program
A new federal school safety grant program created by Congress through a fiscal 2026 appropriation earlier this year presents a significant opportunity for states to make meaningful improvements in physical school security while advancing proven, evidence-based practices and technologies. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is now soliciting applications for the School…
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Three States Join the Nationwide Push for Alyssa’s Law
In an era where school safety remains a national priority and topic of discussion, the momentum behind Alyssa’s Law continues to grow. Named in memory of Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting in 2018, Alyssa’s Law is a model piece of legislation that requires K–12 schools to install silent panic alarms.…
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5 New State “Right to Repair” Laws and What They Mean for the Security Industry
Over the last few years, the “Right to Repair” movement has consistently gained momentum in states across the country with over 40 states having at least introduced right to repair legislation. While the Security Industry Association (SIA) acknowledges the importance of providing consumers with effective ways to extend the life cycle of consumer electronics and…
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Event Report: Security Industry Leaders Take Their Stories to Capitol Hill on Security Hill Day
The Security Industry Association (SIA), with support from the Electronic Security Association (ESA), hosted the 2024 Security Hill Day March 5-6, bringing together nearly 50 security industry executives in Washington, D.C., to promote industrywide policy priorities on Capitol Hill. For this year’s Security Hill Day, which was generously sponsored by Alcatraz, Allstate Security Industries, Allegion,…
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Key State Legislation Trends for the Security Industry to Watch in 2024
With state legislative sessions across the country well underway, policymakers are grappling with a myriad of issues that security industry leaders and companies should be paying close attention to. Several key themes have already emerged at the forefront of legislative agendas so far in 2024 ranging from artificial intelligence and biometrics to right to repair…
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SIA Applauds Bipartisan Call for Increased Funding to Nonprofit Security Grant Program
The Security Industry Association (SIA) stands in strong support of the recent bipartisan initiative led by Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), urging increased funding to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). In a world faced with rapidly growing and ever-evolving security threats, this program is more…
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Counting Costs: The Impact of a Government Shutdown on the Security Industry
A federal government shutdown on Oct. 1, 2023, seems all but certain, as the expectation in Washington, D.C., is that Congress will be unable to pass the 12 annual appropriations bills that fund government operations – or even adopt an extension of current spending under a “continuing resolution for temporary relief” – before the beginning…
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California Approves Right to Repair Legislation – Security Products Exempt
Updated Oct. 10, 2023 Following final passage of Senate Bill 244 by the state legislature on Sept. 13, 2023, and signature by California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Oct. 10, 2023, California has become the third and largest U.S. state to adopt “right to repair” legislation broadly applicable to manufacturers of electronic devices. Resulting from advocacy…
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What Minnesota’s Right to Repair Law Means for Security Products and Manufacturers
On May 24, 2023, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed into law an omnibus appropriations bill which includes a comprehensive right to repair law that will go into effect on July 1, 2024. To date, Minnesota is only the second state in the county to adopt a right to repair law broadly covering electronic devices, following New…
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California Enacts Unique Video and Audio Surveillance Requirements for Firearms Dealers
The latest in California’s comprehensive approach to laws aimed at gun violence prevention is Senate Bill 1384, which was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 30, 2022. This particular measure seeks to prevent unlawful firearms sales and reduce gun violence as well as aid law enforcement investigations by creating digital surveillance requirements…
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