Thursday, April 24, 2003

Combating Online Crimes Against Children

The Internet offers the promise of many new educational resources and enriching experiences for children, but it is also a source of great concern for many. Americans are most worried about child pornography and online predators who target children. This session will look at the challenges involved and present options for lawmakers seeking to enhance law enforcement efforts in this area. 

Moderator: 
Senator Patrice Arent, Utah

Speakers:
Ruben Rodriguez, Director, Exploited Child Unit, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Virginia

Sgt. Steven Del Negro, Massachusetts State Police, Computer Forensic Unit/ICAC Task Force, Boston

As children's access to the Internet continues to expand-41 percent of all children ages 3 through 17 had access to the Internet at home in 2001-so do efforts to protect children from harmful materials on the Internet. This session will review court decisions relating to controlling online pornography and will present options for lawmakers, parents and families looking to protect children from harmful materials online.

Moderator: 
Senator Patrice Arent, Utah

Speakers:
Herb Lin, PhD., National Research Council, Washington, D.C. 

• Youth, Pornography, and The Internet - Dr. Lin's presentation

Paula Bruening, Center for Democracy and Technology, Washington, D.C.

Bruce Taylor, National Law Center, Virginia

Friday, April 25, 2003

The budget challenges facing state legislatures this year are unprecedented. Hear about the latest economic trends and how state legislatures are coping with these tight fiscal times.

Speakers: 
Lynn Browne, Federal Reserve Bank, Boston, Massachusetts

Senator Lana Oleen, Senate Majority Leader, Kansas

Speaker Thomas Finneran, House of Representatives, Massachusetts

Corina Eckl, National Conference of State Legislatures, Colorado

A closely divided Federal Communications Commission recently adopted rules concerning incumbent local exchange carriers’ (incumbent LECs) obligations to make elements of their networks available on an unbundled basis to new entrants. The new framework provides for a significant state role in implementing these rules. Will this action forestall congressional action? What does the FCC decision mean for state regulation? These questions and the impact of the decision will be discussed.

Moderator: 
Senator Steve Kelley, Minnesota

Speakers:
Joan Campion, Vice President of Law & Public Policy, Northern Region, Illinois 

Cathy Carpino, Counsel, Wireline Bureau, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Washington, DC

Rick Cimerman, Senior Director, Telecommunications Policy, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Washington, DC

Link Hoewing, Executive Director, Policy, Technology & Planning, Verizon, Washington, DC 

Richard Rubin, Vice President, Law and Government Affairs, AT&T, New Jersey

The Federal Communications Commission is reviewing the impact of rights-of way regulations on the ability of telecommunications providers to compete. To avoid federal preemption the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners has proposed model state legislation to create uniform standards for use of rights-of way. Needless to say our local government counterparts are "off the wall" on this proposal and have targeted NCSL to keep us from endorsing such a model state law.

Moderator: 
Senator Royal "Mac" McCracken, South Dakota

Speakers:
Rick Cimerman, Senior Director, Telecommunications Policy, National Cable & Telecommunications Association, Washington, DC

Meredith Harris, Senior Attorney, AT&T Law and Government Affairs, Connecticut

In 1998, Congress put in place a three-year moratorium on state and local taxes on Internet access, the Internet Tax Freedom Act. Congress extended the moratorium for an additional two years in November of 2001. Later this year the moratorium is set to expire and already legislation has been introduced to make the moratorium permanent. This session will look at the concerns in making the moratorium permanent, such as what is access today. The financial impact on state and local governments if the moratorium is made permanent.

Speakers:
Neal Osten, Senior Committee Director, Communications & Interstate Commerce, NCSL, Washington, DC

Stacey Sprinkle, Director, Federal & State Tax Policy, Verizon Wireless, Colorado

Steven DelBianco, Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Association for Competitive Technology, Washington, DC

 Discussion and review of policies and resolutions that the committee may consider this year. 

Presiding: Senator Steve Kelley, Minnesota

Consumers express great concerns about their privacy on the Internet, and legislatures have introduced hundreds of bills in recent years to address these concerns. This session will look at the kinds of information collected online and what actions, if any, states should take to protect consumers' personal information. 

Moderator:
Senator Steve Kelley, Minnesota

Speakers:

Representative Wayne Harper, Utah

Keith P. Enright, Privacy Compliance Manager, Virtumundo, Inc., Boston

• Industry Perspectives on Internet Privacy - Keith Enright's presentation

Lee Peeler, Deputy Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C.

Paula Bruening, Center for Democracy and Technology, Washington, D.C.

Badges must be worn to the reception.

Saturday, April 26, 2003

Members of NCSL's Foundation for State Legislatures Partnership Project on Internet Privacy will have the opportunity to discuss Internet privacy issues and to help shape the agenda for the project. 

Presiding:  Senator Steve Kelley, Minnesota and Representative Roger Roy, Delaware

Over the last decade, legislatures have used information technology to make proceedings, bills, votes and reports more available to the public.  Now, with more than half of the American public online, legislators are using e-mail, web pages, online forums and other digital means to communicate and share information quickly.  However, increased access to information places legislators under more scrutiny by the media, special interest groups, and the public.  This session provides tips for communicating effectively in a fast-paced digital world.

Moderator:
Senator Steve Kelley, Minnesota

Speakers:

James Vaughn, Director of Government and Politics, AOL

Senator Leonard Teitelbaum, Maryland

Representative Pam Maier, Delaware 

Gene Rose, Director of Public Affairs, NCSL

• Messages in a Wired World - Gene Rose's presentation

• Prescription Drugs 

Whittier Room, Fourth Floor
• Economic Recovery

Terrace Room, Lower Lobby
• Homeland Security

White Hill Room, Fourth Floor

Sunday, April 27, 2003

Ever been caught off-guard by a reporter or wished you had answered an interview question differently? Join us for a hands-on workshop, designed especially for legislators and staff, to help you sharpen your skills for dealing with the media.

Speaker: 
Frank Kauffman, Fleishman-Hillard, Washington, D.C.