An FCC draft NPRM, released Thursday, on the 42 GHz band seeks comment on three versions of a shared licensing approach. A proposed NPRM on facilitating the launch of next-generation 911 is a follow-up to a National Association of State 911 Administrators' petition seeking a rulemaking or notice of inquiry to fully implement NG911 (see 2110190066 and 2201200043), a draft makes clear. The FCC also released a draft NPRM proposing to strengthen robocall and robotext rules. All are scheduled for commissioner votes at the June 8 meeting. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel unveiled the agenda Wednesday (see 2305170059).

FCC commissioners approved a report and order 4-0 Thursday on rules for the 60 GHz band and new call blocking requirements addressing robocalls, a recurring focus of the commission. Both items had minimal changes from drafts circulated by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel (see 2304270077), FCC officials said.

President Joe Biden is all but certain to nominate former NTIA acting Administrator Anna Gomez to fill the long-vacant fifth FCC seat, but the timing of a formal announcement remained uncertain Thursday despite a Bloomberg report implying it was imminent, congressional officials and communications policy observers told us. Gomez’s confirmation would give the FCC a 3-2 Democratic majority after more than two years of a 2-2 tie. Previous candidate Gigi Sohn asked Biden in March to withdraw her name after her often-contentious Senate confirmation process repeatedly stalled (see 2303070082).

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman briefed House Judiciary Committee members Tuesday, Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said as members grapple with potential solutions for crediting copyright owners when artificial intelligence systems use their work.

Many low-power TV broadcasters want the FCC to consider alternatives to Nielsen for determining broadcaster markets, and nearly every commenter objects to an agency proposal to base a station’s ability to maintain Class A status on its market not growing to over 95,000 households, according to numerous filings -- many nearly identical -- on FCC’s proposals for implementation of the Low Power Protection Act in docket 23-126. NAB joined the objections to the Class A language but said changing the designated market area (DMA) system could disrupt the ATSC 3.0 transition. “Expanding DMA definitions in this manner could have ramifications concerning network and syndicated programming exclusivity and cable carriage, and could inadvertently hinder the transition to ATSC 3.0 in nearby larger markets,” NAB said.

Local emergency communications centers "are definitely in a crisis" on staffing, APCO President Angela Batey said at an APCO conference Tuesday. Average turnover for ECCs was 29% in 2018, which was up from previous APCO surveys, and it's likely worsened since then, Batey said. Increased demands for public safety services coupled with the low national unemployment rate are driving the problem, she said. Batey said there should be better retention and recruiting, plus streamlined hiring.

The California Public Utilities Commission could shut out many wireless providers from participating in a proposed state LifeLine pilot if it proceeds with proposed rules, the National Lifeline Association (NaLA) warned. The CPUC received comments Tuesday on a proposed decision to approve two pilot programs to stack California LifeLine and federal affordable connectivity program (ACP) benefits (docket R.20-02-008). Verizon cautioned the CPUC to allow “reasonable network management.”

Standard General provided additional information to the FCC about the promises it made for the deal for Tegna and on its offer to eventually buy Apollo Global Management’s shares in new Tegna, it said in a news release Wednesday. “We are continuing to work hard to ensure the FCC has all of the information they need to allow a vote on our deal with TEGNA,” said Standard General Founding Partner Soohyung Kim.

The FCC’s multipart draft on the 12 GHz band is expected to be approved Thursday with limited changes, said industry officials tracking the proceeding. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel proposed a draft order, Further NPRM and NPRM on the broader band (see 2304270077) addressing both the lower and upper parts of the band.

Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., threw a wrench in Senate prospects for quickly passing a new proposal from House Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., to restore the FCC’s spectrum auction authority through June 30 (HR-3345) before the House Communications Subcommittee unanimously advanced it during a Wednesday markup session. The mandate expired in early March after Rounds objected to Senate leaders' bid to pass a House-cleared bill to extend the mandate through May 19 (HR-1108) by unanimous consent (see 2303090074). Rounds told us Tuesday he still won't allow UC passage of any bill to restore the FCC's remit unless it goes through Sept. 30 to give DOD time to complete a study of its systems on the 3.1-3.45 GHz band.