National Security

Newly Introduced New York Bill Targets Restricted Chinese Technology

Posted on by China Tech Threat
On March 18th, New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar introduced a new bill A9312. The bill relates to prohibiting the procurement of certain technology and products which pose a state or national security risk. In a post from Assemblywoman Rajkumar share stated, “New York State spends tens of millions of dollars on tech so vulnerable to cyberattacks that the Department of Defense determined its use is a threat to national security. Some of this tech is banned from federal procurement. When my bill passes we will align our purchasing policies with federal law, protecting the safety of our IT infrastructure.” We applaud Assemblywoman Rajkumar’s introduction and fully agree with her. Our research found that between 2018 and 2023, the state… Read More

Nebraska: Senator Bostar’s Bill Heads to Governor Pillen’s Desk

Posted on by China Tech Threat
On April 11th, Senator Eliot Bostar’s bill, the Adopt the Pacific Conflict Stress Test Act and the Foreign Adversary Contracting Prohibition Act (LB 1300), received final approval by a vote of 46-0. The bill will now go to Governor Pillen’s desk for his approval. The Adopt the Pacific Conflict Stress Test Act and the Foreign Adversary Contracting Prohibition Act will prepare Nebraska’s supply chains and critical infrastructure for the risk of a Pacific conflict with China. Senator Bostar stated, “Just by preparing here, here in Nebraska, we are in effect doing our part to prevent a conflict from even starting”. CTT applauds Senator Bostar’s leadership to protect Nebraskans from the threat of the Chinese Communist Party and encourages Governor Pillen… Read More

Bills To Stop China Tech Spending Advance, State Momentum Grows, Dangerous Spending Continues – March 19

Posted on by China Tech Threat
From 1 to 9 to 16: States Are Acting To Ban Dangerous China Tech. In 2019, Vermont was the single state that had banned risky technology by companies owned or operated by the Chinese government. By 2023, when China Tech Threat (CTT) released its States of Denial vs States of Momentum report, that number had grown to nine with four states passing laws in the spring of 2023 alone. As of March 1, 2024, 16 additional states are considering legislation and Utah is expected to be the first in 2024, as a new bill passed by the legislature awaits Governor Cox’s signature. Scroll below for interviews with several state lawmakers on why they made this issue a priority.  .kb-image10199_655e6a-7d .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}… Read More

Lenovo’s Last Ditch Lobbying Fails as Senator McCay Successfully Restricts PRC Tech from Utah

Posted on by China Tech Threat
In the wanning hours of the 2024 Utah legislative session, HB 404 – which would stop the state from purchasing tech manufactured by PRC-owned companies – was challenged on the floor of the Senate. Senator Daniel McCay, the senate sponsor, successfully deflected an 11th hour attempt to weaken his bill. Here is how he explained the challenge: One company is highly motivated… has hired a lobbyist, which is certainly within their right … we looked in procurement and since 2018 [the State of Utah has] spent more than $50 million with that company. I can understand why they’re concerned about losing a $50 million deal or contract, but… the problems that we have as a country trying to secure our… Read More

Video: NH Rep. Roy on Bill To Prohibit Contracts with Chinese Government Owned Tech

Posted on by China Tech Threat
Under the leadership of New Hampshire State Representative Terry Roy, the Granite State joins the growing momentum as states take policy action to ban the purchase of dangerous technology from Chinese government owned or affiliated technology manufacturers. China Tech Threat’s May 2023 report showed New Hampshire spent $204,765 on restricted Chinese technology from Lexmark, Inc. and Lenovo, Inc. While the amount spent isn’t as high as some states, of equal concern is that the risky technology is being used throughout state government offices in the Legislative Branch, the Treasury Department and even the Judicial Branch. In January 2023, Rep. Terry Roy sponsored House Bill 86, prohibiting the state from contracting with Chinese government owned or affiliated technology manufacturers like Lenovo… Read More

VIDEO: UT Bill To Stop China Tech Purchases Passes Full House

Posted on by China Tech Threat
On February 22, Utah bill HB 404, the Public Entity Restrictions bill passed the full House with sweeping bipartisan support and is now before the Senate rules committee. Bill cosponsor Karianne Lisonbee has been committed to stopping taxpayer dollars from being used to purchase technology from CCP-owned companies. China Tech Threat (CTT) talked with Rep. Lisonbee about the need for this legislation and her warnings about the more than $34 million the state has already spent on restricted China tech: “I am very concerned about the privacy of our individual citizens, their ability to control where their data goes, and who it goes to. We should also be very concerned about the amount of taxpayer money that is going to… Read More

Q&A With General Spider Marks: ‘24 Momentum In State Capitols To Ban Risky China Tech

Posted on by China Tech Threat
As February draws to a close, many state legislatures are well into their sessions and some, like Utah, quickly nearing the end of their business for this year. China Tech Threat (CTT) is encouraged by the leadership many new states have demonstrated already in 2024 by advancing bills to prohibit state purchase of risky technology from companies owned or operated by the Chinese government. We caught up with CTT Principal General James “Spider” Marks for his take on the state progress to date and the vulnerabilities that linger.  Q: 2023 ended strong with four new states passing laws bringing their total number of states that passed laws or executive orders to nine. What status update can you share at this… Read More

New CTT Data Indicates States Continue To Spend Millions on Restricted Tech

Posted on by China Tech Threat
States Making Progress to Curtail Further Spending China Tech Threat’s original 2020 research found that nearly 40 states had contracts to purchase technology Chinese government-owned technology manufacturers Lenovo and Lexmark. Beginning in Fall 2022, we began to re-examine data from each state to determine if the states have made payments to either company, how much was spent, and where those products were deployed. As of May 2023, we verified payments from 48 states totaling more than $285 million since 2015, with some states spending as much as $47 million on Lexmark or Lenovo products. (Read the briefing paper here.) In January 2024 we returned to this research in select states and discovered that states currently debating bills to stop the… Read More

Tennessee Takes Steps To Stop State Procurement of Restricted China Tech

Posted on by China Tech Threat
This past January, Tennessee State Representative John Ragan, Chairman of the Government Operations Committee, introduced The Procurement Protection Act (HB 1841) which was followed by the companion Senate bill (SB 2859) introduced by Senator Kerry Roberts. The bills prohibit certain foreign entities, including China from submitting bids for contracts with the state or a political subdivision of the state and requires entities bidding on contracts to make certain disclosures and certifications. Updated 2024 research from China Tech Threat (CTT) found that Tennessee has continued to spend money on restricted Chinese-owned technology. Since CTT’s original report in 2023, the state has spent an additional $6,030 in 2024 and $8,446 in 2023. The introduction of these bills are an important step to… Read More

Key Kentucky Departments Are at Risk Due to Continued Spending on Restricted Chinese Tech

Posted on by China Tech Threat
Kentucky continues to spend taxpayer dollars on restricted Chinese technology from Lenovo Inc. and Lexmark Inc. Following original research released in 2023, China Tech Threat’s (CTT) updated report found that in 2024 Kentucky bought an additional $920,340 worth of restricted technology from the two companies, on top of the $1,805,465 it spent in previous years. The updated data shows that the state has now brought its total spending on restricted technology from Lenovo, Inc. and Lexmark, Inc. between 2015 and 2024 to a total of $8,488,286. Chinese government-owned technology manufacturers Lenovo and Lexmark have been restricted from U.S. military and intelligence agencies due to their connection to the Chinese government and military. CTT’s research relevels that the State Police Department,… Read More