2024 State Momentum Update: February 7

Since our last update on January 23, a number of states have added to the strong momentum with bills to prohibit the purchase of technology by companies owned or operated by the Chinese government. Below is the latest roundup of legislative activity by state lawmakers leading the fight to help protect residents, businesses, government offices, infrastructure, and personal and sensitive data from threats posed by the Chinese government. Utah (New): On January 26, 2024 Representative Candice Pierucci introduced the Public Entity Restrictions bill, HB 404. Among other things, it prohibits procurement of technology or technology services, networks, or systems from restricted foreign entities, including China.  Maryland (New): On February 2, 2024 Delegate Brian Chisolm introduced HB 894 which prohibits an… Read More

AZ Spending on Restricted China Tech Continues, But Lawmakers Working to Stop It

Updated research at the start of 2024 shows that the State of Arizona continues to spend taxpayer money on Lenovo technology, despite its close connections to the Chinese government. According to data available on the state’s Arizona’s Financial Transparency Portal, the state has spent an additional $648,129 on Lenovo technology already in 2024 and $543,881 in 2023. This additional spending comes on top of the previous spending disclosed in China Tech Threat’s 2023 report and brings the total the state of Arizona has spent on this restricted Chinese technology from Lenovo, Inc. to  $7,012,317between 2016 and 2024. Fortunately, Arizona lawmakers are making it a priority to stop this spending in 2024 and have introduced legislation to prohibit such spending and… Read More

UPDATE: Protection Procurement Act (House Bill 2436) Introduced – Arizona Lawmakers Start ‘24 Session With Focus on China Threats, Stopping Purchase of Banned China Tech

Updated: In the days following the Arizona Senate Military Affairs, Public Safety, and Border Security (MAPS) Committee on policies to address threats posed by China, State Representative Lupe Diaz introduced the Protection Procurement Act (House Bill 2436) which will require agencies and vendors who are contracting with the State to disclose their purchases from hostile enemy nations such as China, North Korea and Iran. The bill further states “A covered company may not bid on, submit a proposal for or enter into a contract with a state agency or political subdivision of this for good or services.”“This is the first step to put a moratorium on products or services from hostile countries if these products can be purchased from manufacturers … Read More

Arizona’s Next Steps in Stopping PRC Infiltration

Arizona is in the process of positioning itself to become a hub chip maker. Taiwan Semiconductor TSMC announced late last year their second Phoenix factory, making a $40B investment. With its position as a chip hub, the state is taking action to bolster defenses against PRC intrusion and has banned Chinese citizens from owning property in the state. With more than 7 million spent recently on banned China-owned technology, Arizona leaders should also pass legislation to ban the purchase of China-owned technology.  China Tech Threat recently discovered in a new report that the state of Arizona spent $7,315,675 on restricted Chinese Technology from Lenovo for agencies holding sensitive information. Our Arizona fact sheet shows the Department of Public Safety, the… Read More