The Hill News

San Francisco officials are proposing to regulate the sensors on buildings that are supposed to detect dangerous biological or chemical agents. The proposal would require registration of the sensors, payment of annual fees, and potential false alarm penalties of up to $10,000.

The motivation for the proposed regulation is justified; the solution is misguided. In its current form, it would cripple the market for useful anti-terrorism and public health technologies and confuse efforts to improve building security.

Other cities including New York City are considering similar initiatives. Yet, there are no national standards for sensors or related technologies.  Envision the chaos if San Francisco sets standards that are different than New York’s which are different than Chicago’s and so forth. The budding and essential market for equipment that gives us early warning of germ or chemical attacks would be fatally balkanized.

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