US Senate Suicide Hotline Bill Introduced
U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI),Cory Gardner (R-CO), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Jack Reed (D-RI) announced they introduced the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act (S2661) that directs the FCC to designate 9-8-8 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This line would include the Veterans Crisis Line for veteran-specific mental health support. Additionally, the legislation will authorize the ability of states to collect fees to ensure local call centers are able to support increased volume.
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Topics:
FCC Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee,
Broadband Milestone Report,
FCC Broadband Deployment Report,
National Suicide Hotline Designation Act,
9-8-8,
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Iowa Governor Touts Report Highlighting K-12 Broadband Access
In a press release, Governor Reynolds announced that Iowa’s classrooms are more connected today than ever before.
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Topics:
National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier,
USDA,
NLEV,
Iowa Broadband Access,
South Carolina Broadband Grant
FCC Seeks Comment on Effectiveness of Tribal Engagement Guidelines
The FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB) is seeking comment on how best to facilitate and improve dialogue and coordination between Tribes and Eligible Telecommunications Carriers (ETCs) to ensure successful broadband deployment and adoption on Tribal lands.
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Topics:
Tribal Engagement Guidelines,
EMCs offering Broadband Services,
electric members corporations
FCC October Meeting Agenda
The FCC announced the final agenda for its October 25, 2019, Open Meeting. The following items will be considered:
- Connect America Fund: An Order on Reconsideration that would ensure that carriers receiving high-cost universal service support
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Topics:
Connect America Fund,
FCC October Open Meeting,
FCC Broadband Conversations Podcast,
FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel,
911 fee parity,
Part 61 Tariff Rules,
800 MHz Band
US Senate New Privacy Bill Introduced
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., introduced sweeping new privacy legislation, the Mind Your Own Business Act, which he says will create the strongest-ever protections for Americans’ private data and to hold accountable the corporate executives responsible for abusing consumers’ information.
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Topics:
cybersecurity,
DNC,
Do Not Call Registry,
data privacy,
DNC Registry,
FY 2019 Do Not Call Registry Data Book,
Mind Your Own Business Act,
Do Not Track system
Broadband Mapping Legislation Introduced
Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) announced a package of legislation aimed at addressing broadband mapping practices and increasing speed standards in rural communities. The legislative package is comprised of two bills that empower communities to improve flawed broadband mapping procedures.
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Topics:
Broadband Speed Act,
Community Broadband Mapping Act,
USDA Rural Utility Service
California Attorney General Releases Proposed CCPA Regulations
In a press release, the Attorney General of California announced the release of proposed regulations under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). The law mandates that on or before July 1, 2020, the Office of the Attorney General promulgate and adopt implementing regulations for the CCPA. Comments on the proposed regulations may be submitted by December 6, 2019. The Attorney General will also hold four public hearings.
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Topics:
California Consumer Privacy Act,
Rural Digital Opportunity Fund,
United Kingdom,
CCPA,
Pennsylvania Federal Broadband Funding,
RUDOF
FCC Authorizes $61.8 Million in Funding for Rural Broadband
The FCC announced it has authorized over $61.8 million in funding over the next decade to expand broadband to nearly 22,000 unserved rural homes and businesses in 14 states, representing the sixth wave of support from last year’s Connect America Fund Phase II auction.
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California Enacts New Law Adjusting PUC Audit Requirements
California has enacted a new law that would now require the commission to audit the books and records of each telephone corporation if the utility has over 10,000 customers and would require the commission to review or audit the books and records of the utility if the utility has 10,000 or fewer customers. The bill would require these reviews or audits to be conducted for regulatory purposes, rather than regulatory and tax purposes.
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Topics:
FCC Form 470,
FCC 4Q Inflation Adjustment for Cable Operators,
California PUC Audit Requirements,
FCC Portal for Public Safety and Enterprise
Ohio Releases Statewide Broadband Report
InnovateOhio, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), issued a statewide broadband access report. The report is a compilation of responses the state received to the broadband request for information (RFI) as well as individual stakeholder interviews.
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Topics:
Supply Chain Legislation,
Spectrum Sharing,
Ohio Broadband Report,
SHARE,
InnovateOhio
