(01-25) 08:07 PST WASHINGTON (AP) —

A major technology trade group is expanding lobbying efforts at the state level, boosting funding and staff to track legislation and other issues affecting the industry.

“At any given time, one state can introduce legislation that can impact the entire industry, for better or for worse,” Christopher Hansen, president and chief executive of AeA, formerly the American Electronics Association, said in a statement.

In California, Florida, New York and 10 other states, the group already monitors Internet access fees, online commerce, privacy and other issues.

AeA said it will spend an extra $6.2 million to increase activity in some of those states, and to initiate activity in states where it is not already active. For example, it will also hire additional staff to work on “green” technology issues at all governmental levels.

The group represents about 2,500 companies, including Microsoft Corp., Google Inc. and Dell Inc., in the software, telecommunications, computers, semiconductor and other sectors. It announced the plans Thursday.

An AeA spokeswoman wasn’t immediately available for comment regarding the group’s current budget for its state lobbying program.

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