An Oregon bill to prepare for incoming federal broadband funding cleared the House Economic Recovery and Prosperity Committee by a 10-0 vote at a Monday meeting. The committee heard testimony last week on HB-4092, which would include updating membership and responsibilities of the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council, directing the state broadband office to develop broadband and diversity action plans, and requiring the office to collect geospatial and other data from ISPs and others with broadband infrastructure to assess grant and loan eligibility (see 2202030038). It goes next to the Ways and Means Committee.

A New Hampshire panel punted on an RF safety bill that would require 5G telecom antennas to be placed at least 1,640 feet from residentially zoned areas, parks, schools, playgrounds, hospitals, nursing homes and day care centers. HB-1644, previewed by sponsor Rep. Patrick Abrami (D) this summer (see 2108230043), also would create a registry for anyone experiencing radiation exposure symptoms. At a livestreamed Monday meeting, the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee voted 17-4 to study the issue more rather than adopt HB-1644 now. Testimony clearly showed people suffered from various physical and neurological issues, and "there may be a correlation” to wireless emissions, but “the committee was uncertain as to the causation of such ailments,” said Vice Chairman Douglas Thomas (R). More study could lead to a compromise next session that will get more support, he said. Rep. Lucius Parshall (D), one of the no votes, said he would rather temporarily ban 5G deployment while the study happens. The state lacks authority to impose a moratorium, said Rep. Jacqueline Cali-Pitts (D), supporting more study. Thomas’ subcommittee voted 3-1 to recommend the interim study, at a meeting earlier Monday. “We've heard testimony pretty strongly on both sides of the fence, and it's very complex,” he said before that vote. “Unfortunately, this is an early bill. We would have liked to have been able to put together an amendment to make it more palatable ... but time won't allow us.” HB-1644 could “jeopardize” state emergency communications, Mark Doyle, New Hampshire Department of Safety Emergency Services and Communications director, testified between subcommittee and full committee votes. It could negatively affect public safety radios and 911 services because people are making more emergency calls from cellphones, he said. HB-1644 was based on a November 2020 report by Abrami and others on a state 5G commission that said the FCC could be ignoring wireless RF dangers due to industry influence (see 2011020046).

Montana is accepting applications for $266 million in state broadband funding through the ConnectMT program, Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) said Monday. Applications are due April 8, with informational webinars starting Feb. 10, the governor’s office said.

The Wireless Infrastructure Association expanded its state outreach program "dramatically" for 2022 “because we think it’s going to be a big year,” WIA President Jonathan Adelstein told the Colorado Wireless Association’s Annual Education Conference Thursday. “You need to get people hired early and in the room to make sure that you’re there when the big discussions are had,” he said. With all the discussion on infrastructure funding, this isn’t a year “to let your guard down,” he said. WIA will be in “probably over 25 states this year,” he said: “Not every state is going to be active, not every state is really kind of critical. … It’s very state specific.” Adelstein said Colorado is one of the states WIA's targeting, but “it’s pretty costly to do this.” WIA is watching whether states follow the directions of Congress as it approved infrastructure legislation and how the Commerce Department “ensures some level of uniformity,” he said. “States have enormous power” under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and “we need to be vigilant.” The level of wireless buildout could depend on strict rules by Commerce requiring technological neutrality, he said.

A Washington state bill meant to streamline broadband grants and loans cleared the House Capital Budget Committee at a livestreamed meeting Friday. Members voted 19-3 for 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. It would also remove requirements that the board must consult with the Utilities and Transportation Commission before awarding funds and that the UTC must provide the board a technical feasibility assessment of proposed applications. Rep. Peter Abbarno (R) supported the bipartisan bill as a “step forward” that will speed broadband funding. Rep. Vicki Kraft (R) voted no because she would prefer giving tax credits to the private sector, she said. Thursday in Hawaii, two Senate committees cleared a bill requiring public housing built, renovated or reconstructed after Jan. 1, 2023, to have broadband access. Government Operations and Housing committees each voted 5-0 Thursday for SB-2479. State legislatures are weighing many broadband bills this year with federal funds coming (see 2202030038).

A federal judge won’t postpone oral argument on Maryland’s digital ad tax set for Feb. 17 (see 2201040037). The state attorney general’s office sought delay due to a busy schedule. “Defendant’s request to postpone the hearing due to the press of other business, while understandable, does not establish good cause to warrant the postponement of the hearing and delay of this litigation,” wrote Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby in a Thursday order at the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland (case 21-cv-00410).

California's SoFi Stadium, which is hosting Super Bowl LVI, is a "no drone zone," with temporary flight restrictions on drones near the stadium for much of Feb. 13, FAA said Wednesday. For a six-hour span that includes the game, temporary flight restrictions that include drones will be in effect within a 30-nautical-mile radius of the stadium, it said.

A Washington state digital right-to-repair bill cleared the House Appropriations Committee 18-14. Democrats supported the bill; Republicans were opposed. HB-1810, opposed by industry at a hearing last week (see 2201280026), would require manufacturers to make documentation, parts and tools available to owners and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms. Urging a no vote at Tuesday's webcast hearing, Rep. Drew Stokesbary (R) worried HB-1810 would hurt companies’ intellectual property rights without benefiting consumers. The House Consumer Protection Committee voted 4-3 Wednesday to clear HB-1801 to study creating a repairability index. All Republicans voted nay. The vote was on a substitute by Chairman Steve Kirby (D) that removed language that would have required manufacturers to label products with repairability scores, which had raised concerns (see 2201190049). More study is needed before requiring a score, said Kirby at the livestreamed hearing. Task force recommendations would be due July 1, 2023, with annual updates on the same day in the next two years.

Michigan cable-TV subscribership grew last year after several years’ decline, the Public Service Commission reported Tuesday. Operators fell by three to 33, but customers increased by more than 18,000 to about 1.6 million, the PSC said. Reflecting a trend of customers moving to internet streaming services, subscribers had been on the decline since 2015 when there were about 2.3 million, it said. Franchise agreements between providers and municipalities decreased to 1,973 statewide from 2,107.

The California Public Utilities Commission reassigned its inmate calling services (ICS) docket (R.20-10-002) to Commissioner Darcie Houck from former Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves, the CPUC said Tuesday. The CPUC received comments Friday on if it may legally regulate video and other non-voice ICS rates, fees and service quality (see 2201310050).