Maryland senators voted 46-0 for a data privacy study bill (see 2203150006). SB-11 goes to the House. The Senate also passed SB-633, sending the House a bill to repeal a cap on county 911 fees, create special rights for 911 specialists and modify the state 911 board’s membership and responsibilities.
The California Privacy Protection Agency board plans informational sessions later this month before starting its rulemaking to implement the California Privacy Rights Act, the CPPA said Friday. The virtual meetings will be March 29 at 11 a.m. PDT and March 30 at 9 a.m. PDT, said the notice. CPPA plans overviews of the CPRA, personal information, risk assessments and consumer rights regarding automated decision-making. Also, the CPPA expects to hold April sessions to gather stakeholder input, it said. CPRA enforcement starts Jan. 1, but the CPPA rulemaking is delayed (see 2202280040). Also, the CPPA expects to hold April sessions to gather stakeholder input, it said.
It might be safest to let Alaska USF die, said Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) Common Carrier Specialist David Parrish at virtual technical conference Friday. Alaska’s public advocate and telecom industry officials disagreed. AUSF, set to sunset mid-2023, "has been really hobbling along for years," said Parrish: If the commission wants to continue the fund, RCA staff thinks the “only equitable solution” is its proposal to target AUSF support to areas where voice remains the primary form of telecom (see 2203140056), especially because much federal infrastructure money is coming and since pursuing state USF reform could increase the likelihood the RCA is sued, Parrish said. Just because it’s easiest to let AUSF die “doesn't mean it's the right thing to do,” responded Alaska Chief Assistant Attorney General Jeff Waller of the Regulatory Affairs & Public Advocacy division. The Matanuska Telephone Association also disagreed with killing AUSF. "This is not the time for AUSF to go away," said MTA counsel Dean Thompson of Kemppel Huffman. "What do you do about access charges?" It would leave "a big hole of lawfully recovered rate recovery,” he said. MTA had submitted an alternative proposal to switch to connections-based contribution. Alaska Communications sees a remaining need for AUSF, said Manager-Regulatory Affairs Lisa Phillips. GCI Senior Director-Regulatory Affairs Juliana Wayman cautioned the RCA that coming federal funding will do nothing for ongoing operating costs.
The Louisiana Public Service Commission may vote March 30 on Apollo buying Lumen ILEC assets, said an agenda released Friday. Staff recommended approval last week. "Staff was unable to identify any risk … that would warrant denial,” it said. The deal also still needs FCC, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia clearances (see 2203160070).
The Wireless Infrastructure Association said it will be the industry intermediary for Ohio’s Broadband and 5G Sector Partnership. WIA is working with Ohio State University “to create industry-focused curriculum on broadband and 5G technologies, consult with industry and serve as a liaison to provide insights on the skills gap for broadband, and assist with educational and workforce development programs from planning through execution phases,” said a Wednesday news release.
A Tennessee bill to regulate social media as common carriers cleared the House Business and Utilities Subcommittee in a voice vote Wednesday. The bill, which goes next to the Commerce Committee, would authorize the Tennessee Public Utilities Commission to probe and fine social websites for “intentionally deplatforming or shadow banning a user … if the basis of such action is rooted in political ideology, viewpoint discrimination, personal animus, or discrimination because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin,” said a HB-2369 summary. The bill responds to outrage from constituents banned by Big Tech, said sponsor Rep. Dennis Powers (R). Websites are censoring misinformation even though Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act restricts only obscene, lewd, filthy, excessively violent, harassing or objectionable things, said Rep. Jason Zachary (R): “Misinformation is not part of that.” Treating sites as common carriers is a good way to keep the bill from running into legal trouble faced by similar Texas and Florida laws, he said. Some members raised concerns. Rep. Dwayne Thompson (D) said he doesn’t like the government stepping on private businesses. Rep. Patsy Hazlewood (R) appreciates the goal but worries about ceding so much control to the PUC and allowing the agency to levy large fines, she said. The Senate Commerce Committee cleared companion bill SB-2161 Tuesday (see 2203160053).
Delaware awarded $56 million to Comcast, Verizon and Mediacom to expand broadband, Gov. John Carney (D) said Thursday. With construction planned to begin in weeks, the state expects grants to extend the companies’ existing coverage to 11,600 unserved homes and businesses over the next 36 months, said the governor’s office: ISPs will deploy fixed wireline infrastructure that will provide at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds. Comcast got $33.1 million, Verizon got $11.8 million and Mediacom got $11.1 million. The grants cover up to 75% of capital construction costs, with ISPs providing at least a 25% match. The awards are part of a $110 million Carney broadband effort, with the money from federal coronavirus relief and infrastructure laws.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed a robocalls bill (HB-1214) Wednesday to ban and penalize caller ID spoofing (see 2203030023). A Hawaii anti-spoofing bill (SB-2212) cleared the House Consumer Protection Committee in a 11-0 vote the same day. It passed the Senate earlier this month (see 2203080075).
Gov. Roy Cooper (D) created a North Carolina cybersecurity task force by executive order Wednesday. “Systems that provide communications, energy, transportation, water and wastewater treatment are all critical public resources that need to remain protected from all hazards,” said State Public Safety Secretary Eddie Buffaloe.
Virginia’s consumer counsel supports approving Apollo buying Lumen ILEC assets, subject to terms of a pact, commented Assistant Attorney General John Farmer in Tuesday comments at the Virginia State Corporation Commission (docket PUR-2021-00246). “The current quality of service is unacceptable for reasons related to both public safety and economic development,” wrote Farmer, but the settlement “provides several critical protections for customers, and Consumer Counsel hopes that the contemplated transfer of control will serve as a catalyst for improving the quality of service.” Lumen urged the commission last week to adopt staff’s recommended approval (see 2203080031).