Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association released the first in a series of policy landscapes today highlighting major trends across the 50 state legislatures, with the first landscape focusing on competition policy. In 2024, six legislatures – Maine, Maryland, New York, Illinois, Minnesota, and Washington – introduced competition-related legislation, continuing the trend of states attempting to tackle a policy area that has been predominantly addressed at the federal level.
Several states are pursuing regulations that, while well-intended, could hinder economic progress by imposing restrictive rules that disrupt business operations. These proposals could create confusion for companies, making it harder for them to innovate and respond to market demands. CCIA’s reports highlight how this emerging patchwork of state laws could result in conflicting standards and compliance challenges, ultimately slowing growth and reducing the resources available to businesses to invest in new developments.
Looking ahead, we anticipate that state lawmakers will continue exploring competition policies in the 2025 session, particularly in light of ongoing federal antitrust litigation and increased scrutiny of tech and e-commerce sectors.
The following may be attributed to CCIA Northeast Regional Policy Manager Alex Spyropulos:
“State legislatures are becoming more active in competition policy, mirroring federal efforts, but also introducing different approaches that could complicate compliance and hinder innovation. This trend of state-level interventions underscores the need for a balanced approach that addresses antitrust concerns, while ensuring that pro-competitive activities are not stifled.”
