A New York state Senate data privacy bill cleared the Consumer Protection Committee for the second straight year during a livestreamed hearing Tuesday. In a voice vote, the panel supported advancing S-365 to the Internet and Technology Committee. The comprehensive measure by Consumer Protection Chair Kevin Thomas (D) passed the full Senate last year (see 2306090052). However, because the Assembly didn’t take it up in 2023, the bill returned to the Senate on Jan. 3. “It’s a bill that is necessary, especially since AI is generating so much right now,” said Thomas. “Data privacy goes first, and then the guardrails need to be set on AI.” Later in the morning, the Senate Telecom Committee unanimously cleared a cable prorating bill by Sen. Leroy Comrie (D), sending it to the Senate floor. S-493 would allow cable customers to seek a prorated refund if their service was disconnected or downgraded. The legislation received the committee’s approval last year (see 2305160033) but returned to the panel Jan. 3 because the full Senate didn’t vote on it in 2023. On Monday, the Telecom Committee sent a bill (S-1203) to the floor that would prohibit broadband terminations and disconnections during state disaster emergencies.
The Florida Senate's version of a bill banning kids younger than 16 from having social media accounts cleared the Judiciary Committee on Monday. The panel voted 7-2 for Sen. Erin Grall's (R) SB-1788. It shares language with the House-approved HB-1, including prohibiting children from having accounts even with parental consent. However, the Senate bill wouldn't require social websites to disclose social media's possible mental health issues to those 16-18. A bipartisan majority in the House supported HB-1 last month (see 2401240079). Also, the Judiciary Committee voted 9-0 for Grall's SB-1792, which would require strict age verification for porn websites. It’s similar to HB-3, which unanimously passed the House (see 2401250017).
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed a bill Monday to clarify that satellite TV and streaming video fall outside cable franchise fees. H-3782 passed the legislature last month (see 2401250025). The Missouri House Rules Committee on Monday teed up a similar bill (HB-2057) for a full House vote. The Utilities Committee approved it last month (see 2401260025). Also that day in Missouri, the Senate Judiciary Committee cleared a bill to cap inmate phone calling rates. Under SB-1098, state correctional centers couldn’t charge more than 12 cents per minute for domestic calls, including fees. The bill would cap the amount at 14 cents for local jails with at least 1,000 inmates and 21 cents for jails with fewer inmates.
A Washington state Senate fiscal committee cleared bills on AI and the 988 mental health hotline in unanimous voice votes during a livestreamed meeting Monday. The Ways and Means committee approved SB-5838, with an amendment by sponsor Sen. Joe Nguyen (D) establishing an AI task force. In addition, legislators cleared SB-6308 that extends timelines for implementing the 988 system, including providing the state health department 18 additional months to develop the technology platform. The bill would extend that deadline to Jan. 1, 2026, from July 1 this year. Also, the panel approved SB-6251, which includes a provision allowing behavioral health administrative service organizations to recommend 988 contact hub contractors within each regional service area. The panel approved an amendment by sponsor Sen. Manka Dhingra (D) with various tweaks to SB-6251. The bills will go next to the Rules Committee.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission set a Feb. 16 prehearing conference in its review of LTD Broadband’s eligible telecom carrier designation. State telecom and electric industry groups asked the Minnesota PUC to revoke the certificate that LTD needs to obtain Rural Digital Opportunities Fund support (see 2311160039). The videoconference starts at 2 p.m. CST, the PUC ordered Monday (docket 22-221).
A Hawaii digital equity bill received a green light from the House Technology Committee Friday. On an 8-0 vote, it approved HB-2359, which seeks “any remaining obstacles to digital equity” across Hawaii. In addition, it would establish a grant program for digital equity projects. Two other House committees must consider the bill before it goes to the floor.
Alabama awarded nearly $188.5 million for middle-mile broadband projects, said Gov. Kay Ivey (R) on Monday. The governor’s office said 12 ISPs will install more than 4,000 miles of projects statewide, using federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. “These middle-mile projects will be extremely beneficial to our anchor institutions, and it puts us in a desirable situation where the ‘last mile’ projects that will supply broadband service to businesses and households are more economical and attainable,” said Ivey. Awards included $128.8 million for Alabama Fiber Network, $21.5 million for Farmers Telecom and $7.3 million for Charter Communications.
Florida will award $223 million for broadband using $135 million in state and $86 million in federal funding, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Friday. Florida’s broadband opportunity program will support 54 projects in 33 counties, bringing high-speed internet to about 27,000 unserved residential, educational, agricultural, business and community locations, the governor’s office said. Awards through the federally funded multipurpose facility program will support 29 community infrastructure projects, including health clinics, schools and workforce development programs across 18 counties, it said.
South Dakota House members voted 60-9 Wednesday for a bill to increase a state 911 fee on monthly phone bllls to $2, from $1.25. HB-1092 cleared a tax committee last week (see 2401240011).
South Carolina age-verification bills won House approval by wide margins Wednesday. The House voted 105-1 to pass H-4700, which would require parental consent for minors younger than 18 to access social media. The House voted 104-1 to pass H-3424, meant to keep kids off pornographic websites. The Judiciary Committee last week approved the bills (see 2401230062), which go next to the Senate. Rep. Justin Bamberg (D) voted no on both bills. In Utah the same day, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 4-0 to clear a bill (SB-104) that would require tablet and smartphone makers to automatically turn on content filters for minors.