Advocacy Accomplishments

Government Relations

Representing Industry Before Department of Energy and Congress, Voicing Industry Concerns
about “Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007” (EISA)
SIA has led the industry’s efforts to ensure reasonable implementation of the “Energy Independence and
Security Act of 2007” by the U.S. Department of Energy. EISA requires consumer electronics that use Class
2 transformers as external power supplies to meet energy efficiency standards in “stand-by,” “no-load” and
“off” modes. SIA has formed a coalition that includes industry and environmental groups that worked with key
lawmakers to have amendments introduced in both the House and the Senate to ensure that the law will not
apply to security and life-safety products that must always be on.

Seeking Security Exemption from Canadian Energy Efficiency Standards

In August 2010, SIA and CANASA submitted comments to Natural Resources Canada regarding efficiency
standards that would define energy consumption rules for electronic devices in “stand-by,” “no-load” and “off”
modes. In the comments, SIA noted that electronic security and life safety devices must always be on in order
to be effective, so applying these standards to them “would not produce any energy savings because life
safety and security equipment is never to be operated in these modes.”

Extending Cooperative Purchasing to GSA Schedule 84

SIA worked closely with the chairman of the U.S. House Procurement Subcommittee to facilitate enactment
of the “Local Preparedness Acquisition Act.” This law (P.L. 110-248) extends cooperative purchasing to GSA
Schedule 84 and provides state and local governments with a cost-effective contracting vehicle to acquire
electronic security solutions.

Raising Awareness of the Industry Impact of HSPD-12

SIA has worked extensively to increase the federal government’s understanding of the impact of Homeland
Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12). From offering expert insights to high-level officials at the White
House and GSA to providing testimony before Congress, SIA has ensured that the voice of the security
industry is heard as the government continues its implementation of HSPD-12. Additionally, SIA has filed
comments with the federal government regarding the federal ICAM document and FIPS-201-2.

Educating Companies, Policy Makers and Industry Stakeholders about Privacy and Technology
In September 2010, SIA released a Privacy Framework for security technology that included 12 guidelines
aimed at ensuring privacy while using security devices. The Framework was drafted to address privacy
concerns related to the recording of video, the collection of personally identifiable information and the use of
biometrics, radio frequency identification (RFID) and other security technologies.

Releasing a Position Paper Endorsing Biometric Technology in Federal E-Verify Program

In September 2010, SIA released a position paper endorsing the use of biometric identification technology in
the federal E-Verify program.

Successfully Opposing State Anti-RFID Legislation

In 2010, SIA called on Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry to veto legislation that would prohibit the use of RFID
technology in state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Similarly, in 2006 and 2008, SIA called on
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to oppose anti-RFID legislation that would have severely restricted the
use of the technology. Both governors responded to SIA’s concerns by vetoing the proposals.
Defeating Alarm Monitoring Tax in Virginia
In 2009, the Virginia General Assembly considered legislation that would have imposed a monthly tax on
alarm companies for each monitoring contract held in the state. SIA’s opposition to the proposal helped to
block this unfair tax.

Defeating Legislation in New Hampshire to Restrict Use of Biometric Technology

In February 2010, SIA submitted testimony to the New Hampshire House of Representatives Commerce and
Consumer Affairs Committee opposing House Bill 1409, which would restrict the use of biometric technology in
identification cards. The committee voted to recommend that the legislation not be passed, and the House later
defeated it.

Supporting Carbon Monoxide Detector Legislation

SIA has advocated for passage of the “Residential Carbon Monoxide Prevention Poisoning Act of 2010” (H.R.
1796), which would authorize $10 million for states to promote the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in
homes and residences. As of fall 2010, the legislation had passed the House and was pending in the Senate.

Ensuring Funding for Port Security Grant Program

The Port Security Grant Program is an essential source of financing that is used to harden physical security at
our nation’s ports. SIA has worked with key legislators to ensure that Congress provides annual funding for
the program. Additionally, several ports had expressed concern that requiring a 25 percent match in order to
receive program funding would be an economic barrier to applying for these grants. SIA supported efforts to
eliminate the cost-share requirement for fiscal year 2010, thus increasing the incentives for ports to invest in
electronic physical security solutions.

Advocating for Funding to Secure Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Wastewater treatment plants are among our most critical infrastructure, yet they are also some of the most
vulnerable facilities. SIA has advocated for the passage of legislation that would establish a new grant
program dedicated to improving security at these plants. In November 2009, the House of Representatives
passed the “Chemical and Water Security Act of 2009” (H.R. 2868). The legislation would, among other things,
create a wastewater treatment plant security grant program within the Environmental Protection Agency and
authorize $200 million in annual grants through 2014.

Securing New College and University Campus Safety Funds

SIA supports the enactment of legislation that will allow colleges and universities to use campus safety grant
funds to acquire and install access control, video surveillance, perimeter security and intrusion detection
systems and technologies.

Fighting for K-12 School Security Funds

SIA has strongly supported the efforts of Rep. Steve Rothman (D-NJ) and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to increase
funding for the Secure Our Schools grant program. This program has enabled hundreds of K-12 schools to
make physical security enhancements to classrooms that keep students and teachers safe from violent crime.
SIA also supports the passage of House legislation that would reauthorize the program at $50 million annually.

To learn more about SIA’s Government Relations activities, contact Don Erickson, director of
government relations, at (703) 647-8484 or derickson@siaonline.org.

For more information, visit www.siaonline.org/government.