Blake Wilder

To the Honorable Members of the Legislature, I respectfully submit this testimony in support of HB 1408, which creates a misdemeanor offense when an elected official publicly discloses a constituent’s personal information on the Internet with the intent to harass. This bill addresses a narrow but serious abuse of power and reinforces fundamental principles of public trust, fairness, and accountability. Elected officials hold positions of authority and visibility that private individuals do not. When that power is used to expose a constituent’s personal information online for the purpose of harassment, the harm is amplified and deeply unfair. HB 1408 recognizes that such conduct is not ordinary speech—it is an abuse of office that can result in intimidation, threats, and real-world danger for private citizens. HB 1408 is carefully tailored. It does not restrict legitimate political speech, criticism, debate, or the sharing of information related to public policy or government operations. The bill applies only when an elected official acts with *intent to harass* and targets *personal information* of a constituent. This intent-based standard ensures that the law addresses misconduct, not disagreement or dissent. The Internet enables rapid, widespread dissemination of personal data, often leading to pile-on harassment, threats, and stalking. When an elected official initiates or encourages this behavior by disclosing a constituent’s personal information, it legitimizes and escalates the harm. HB 1408 provides a necessary deterrent to prevent this misuse of digital platforms by those entrusted with public power. Citizens must feel safe contacting their representatives, voicing concerns, and participating in civic life without fear of retaliation. If constituents believe that speaking out could result in being publicly exposed or targeted by an elected official, many will simply stay silent. HB 1408 helps ensure that government remains accessible and responsive to the people it serves. Elected officials are rightly held to higher ethical standards. Using one’s office or public platform to harass a constituent undermines confidence in government and damages democratic norms. By establishing clear consequences for this behavior, HB 1408 reinforces the expectation that public office is a public trust. HB 1408 is a measured and necessary response to a specific form of misconduct that threatens individual safety and democratic participation. It protects constituents from harassment, preserves free expression, and promotes ethical conduct by elected officials. For these reasons, I urge the legislature to support HB 1408. Respectfully submitted, Blake Wilder