Texas will be the 11th state with a consumer privacy law. Over the weekend, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed HB-4, which largely follows in the mold of Virginia and Connecticut laws (see 2305300057). Also, Abbott signed a data broker registration bill (SB-2105), a broadband mapping bill (SB-2119) and a USF bill (SB-1710) to establish a competition test allowing the Texas Public Utility Commission to decide whether previously rural areas should continue receiving support. Abbott vetoed SB-2399, which would have clarified that the PUC should continue to grant operating authority certificates to VoIP providers. “Texans are faced with perpetually increasing threats to their family's privacy with unscrupulous actors collecting their personal data and activities," the privacy bill’s sponsor, Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R), said Monday: "Texans deserve to know what information is being collected and how to delete that information if they so choose.” Florida was the 10th state with a privacy law (see 2306060030).
The Regulatory Commission of Alaska seeks comments by July 19 on making Alaska USF emergency regulations permanent, said an RCA notice released Monday. The commission filed the emergency regs with the lieutenant governor’s office Thursday (see 2306160041). The emergency rules take effect July 1 and expire Oct. 28. Making them permanent would extend the AUSF sunset through June 30, 2026.
The FCC’s administration of its affordable connectivity program and other broadband initiatives won’t be the sole focus of a Wednesday House Communications Subcommittee hearing with commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel and other commissioners, but it’s likely to be the item with the most bearing on future policymaking, observers said in interviews. The panel is happening a day before two of the commissioners -- Republican Brendan Carr and Democrat Geoffrey Starks -- appear before the Senate Commerce Committee for a joint confirmation hearing with new FCC nominee Anna Gomez (see 2306150068). The House Communications hearing will begin at 10:30 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn.
"Affordable and reliable telecommunications services are essential to the public peace, health, safety, and general welfare of the people of Alaska,” according to Alaska USF emergency regulations the Regulatory Commission of Alaska filed Thursday at the lieutenant governor's office. The commission adopted the rules in docket R-21-001 at a June 7 meeting (see 2306070050). They'll take effect July 1 and expire Oct. 28 unless made permanent by the RCA, said Thursday’s filing. Existing AUSF rules sunset on June 30.
A Maine bill meant to combat robocalls and preserve the state’s 207 area code passed the legislature. The Senate concurred with House changes Tuesday. As amended, the measure would require voice providers that acquire and place into service phone numbers to pay in the state’s USF and telecom education access fund and give the Maine Public Utilities Commission authority to investigate compliance. Also, LD-396 would require VoIP providers to register with the Maine PUC and respond to any information requests about distributing phone numbers. And it would require the commission to file a report to the legislature on compliance, PUC efforts to preserve 207 and what else may be needed to ensure efficient numbering use. The bill still needs gubernatorial OK.
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The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) adopted emergency regulations to extend the Alaska USF (AUSF) until Oct. 29. At a partially virtual meeting Wednesday, commissioners voted 4-0 for draft rules that largely track with a Department of Law (DOL) proposal last month, but with two changes that respond to industry concerns. Also, commissioners unanimously agreed to extend the statutory deadline for docket R-21-001 by 90 days until Sept. 27. This will give the RCA time to adopt a three-year extension through regular procedure. AUSF stakeholders applauded the commission's actions.
Senate Commerce Committee leaders are continuing to push for a June confirmation hearing on FCC nominee Anna Gomez and renominated Commissioners Brendan Carr and Geoffrey Starks (see 2306010075) but haven't settled on a date, lawmakers and lobbyists told us. Ex-nominee Gigi Sohn, meanwhile, directed her ire during a Tuesday Media and Democracy Project event at all levels of news media for not effectively covering her year-plus stalled confirmation process, saying she hopes Gomez and other future FCC candidates don't get the same treatment. Sohn asked President Joe Biden to withdraw her from consideration in March amid continued resistance from a handful of Democrats and uniform GOP opposition (see 2303070082).
The Regulatory Commission of Alaska declared an emergency, with the state USF set to dissolve later this month. The 5-0 statement at a partially virtual meeting Wednesday tees up the RCA to expedite rules to extend the looming Alaska USF sunset by three years to June 30, 2026. RCA members convened after receiving comments on last-minute Department of Law (DOL) draft regulations that could allow the extension (see 2305100061 and 2305080035).
The FCC Enforcement Bureau proposed a $1.4 million fine against PayG for failing to timely file telecom reporting worksheets with the Universal Service Administrative Co. between 2018 and 2021, said a notice of apparent liability Tuesday. The notice said PayG failed to file and pay on time for the USF, Telecom Relay Service Fund, North American numbering plan and federal regulatory fees.