More state broadband bills cleared legislatures. Alabama's SB-124 went to the governor Tuesday after the Senate voted 25-0 Tuesday to concur with House changes (see 2203040049). Washington state’s House voted 96-2 Tuesday to concur with the Senate on HB-1673, which would allow the state’s Public Works Board to make low- or no-interest loans or grants for emergency public works broadband projects (see 2202040034). It now needs gubernatorial signoff. The Hawaii House unanimously passed HB-2397 Tuesday to create and fund a state authority to oversee broadband infrastructure. It now goes to the Senate.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities voted 5-0 to add cable service-quality rules, at a webcast meeting Wednesday. The board approved final readoption of the state’s Administrative Code Title 14 Chapter 18 rules for cable TV with substantial changes, including new required metrics and reports, changes to pole attachment rates and public, educational and government (PEG) access channel rules, and tougher enforcement (see 2108180051). The rules had been set to expire March 29. Cable operators fought additional requirements proposed in docket CX21010010, citing competition from over-the-top streaming services (see 2112060032 and 2111030030). "Perhaps there won't be so much competition with streaming if they ... follow these great consumer service rules,” Commissioner Mary-Anna Holden said at Wednesday’s meeting. Commissioner Bob Gordon said he was glad to ease consumers’ difficulties with cable customer service: "This is one area where we really can have an impact on so many households." Charter declined to comment. Comcast didn't comment.
The Mississippi Public Service Commission said yes to Apollo's buying Lumen ILEC assets. Commissioners voted 3-0 Tuesday to adopt an order in docket 2021-UA-165, effective one day after FCC approval. “The proposed transaction is in good faith” and the buyer “is fit and able to properly perform the public utility services” and “comply with all rules, regulations, and requirements of the Commission,” it said. “The transaction is otherwise consistent with the public interest.” Virginia State Corporation Commission staff recommended approval Tuesday (see 2203080031). The FCC, Louisiana, New Jersey and Pennsylvania also must OK the deal (see 2202240043).
Internet industry groups condemned a Georgia social media bill Wednesday. The Senate voted 33-21 Tuesday to pass SB-393, which is modeled after Texas and Florida laws that were enjoined by federal district courts (see 2202150068). If enacted, the Georgia measure “would force social media to host state-run media like RT while denying their ability to remove other awful but lawful content,” said NetChoice Vice President Carl Szabo in a statement. “The First Amendment protects us all, including private businesses, from being forced to host the state-run content that this legislation would compel them to.” Computer & Communications Industry Association State Policy Director Alyssa Doom said “in addition to being unconstitutional, the Georgia legislation would act as a barrier for digital services trying to keep Georgians safe online.” An Ohio House committee held a hearing on the similar HB-441 Tuesday (see 2203080071). A Tennessee Senate committee Tuesday delayed until the following Tuesday two similar bills (SB-2380 and SB-2161). “We urge legislatures across the country to reject these bills, which conflict with the First Amendment by forcing private companies to carry speech,” said Doom. The Alaska Senate State Affairs Committee plans to mull a social media bill (SB-214) Thursday at 3:30 p.m. EST.
Wisconsin’s privacy bill appears dead despite passing the Assembly last month (see 2202240003). “It’s looking like the bill won’t be receiving a vote in the Senate this session,” Mark Austinson, policy adviser to HB-957 sponsor Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R), emailed us Wednesday. “We intend to continue working on the bill and reintroduce it in the beginning of next session.” The legislature adjourns Thursday. Florida’s privacy bill also looks dead; Washington state’s bill faces a Thursday deadline (see 2203070069).
Washington state 911, broadband and blockchain bills passed the legislature Monday. The House voted 97-1 to concur with Senate changes to HB-1703 to update the state’s emergency communication law for NG-911 and coordinate 911 with the 988 suicide and mental health hotline (see 2202280048). And the House voted 70-28 to agree with the Senate on HB-1723 to set up broadband adoption programs (see 2203040049). The Senate voted 48-0 to concur with House amendments to SB-5544 to establish a blockchain study group (see 2202220040).
The Ohio Public Utilities Commission sought comment on an AT&T petition to give up eligible telecom carrier (ETC) designation for all remaining Ohio areas it didn’t earlier relinquish. AT&T said in a September petition that at least one other ETC each of those areas. In a Monday order (case 21-917-TP-UNC), the Ohio PUC directed AT&T to post a newspaper notice within 20 days seeking public comments by April 15. Initial comments on a March 4 staff report are due March 21, replies April 1.
The Hawaii Senate unanimously supported a bill (SB-2479) to require new public housing to have broadband access (see 2202040034). Senators voted 24-0 Tuesday for that bill in addition to SB-2205 to make a plan to use the 988 national suicide line and SB-2212 to fight caller ID spoofing.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission should approve Apollo buying Lumen ILEC assets, subject to terms of a pact (see 2202240043), Senior Hearing Examiner Ann Berkebile recommended Tuesday in docket PUR-2021-00246. Comments are due March 15, she said.
The West Virginia legislature passed an emergency communications bill to set up a commission to study implementing next-generation 911 for the state. The Senate voted 33-0 Monday for the House-passed HB-4282. The commission would have to complete a preliminary report by Dec. 31 and a final report by June 1, 2023. "The growing use of cellphones and VoIP devices has made traditional 911 services less reliable because they do not show the location of or information about the caller,” said sponsor Sen. Mark Maynard (R) at the livestreamed floor session. HB-4282 will become law if Gov. Jim Justice (R) signs. Friday in Illinois, the House voted 103-0 for HB-5502 to require that multi-line telephone systems and other services route 911 calls to the correct jurisdiction. It goes to the Senate. Also that day, the Hawaii House unanimously sent the Senate HB-1980 to permit but not require Medicaid, health insurers and others to cover telephonic behavioral health services.