Today's Regulatory Mix: California – Governor Announces Funds to Support Distance Learning; Directed State Agencies to Bridge Digital Divide, FCC Prepares for Tropical Storm Laura

California – Governor Announces Funds to Support Distance Learning; Directed State Agencies to Bridge Digital Divide

Governor announced that every eligible local educational agency in California has applied for and is receiving a portion of the $5.3 billion in learning loss mitigation funds secured through the state budget he signed in June.

The Governor also signed an executive order directing state agencies across government to bridge the digital divide, building on the state’s efforts to provide computing devices and hotspots to students across the state.

 “Schools may be physically closed, but in California at least, class is still in session,” said Governor Newsom. “While more work remains, districts across the state are in a far better position this semester to provide meaningful distance instruction to every child.”

 “In these challenging circumstances, our state has profound respect and gratitude for the parents and teachers who are doing all they can to make sure our students’ educational and social-emotional needs are met,” added Governor Newsom.

FCC Prepares for Tropical Storm Laura

The FCC took three actions in preparation for the storm: (1) activated the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS); (2) announced 24/7 FCC assistance; and (3) announced Emergency Communications Procedures.

 (1) DIRS is a voluntary, web-based system that communications providers, including wireless, wireline, broadcast, cable and Voice over Internet Protocol providers, and satellite providers can use to report communications infrastructure status and situational awareness information during times of crisis.

 (2) The FCC reminds emergency communications providers, including broadcasters, cable service providers, wireless and wireline service providers, satellite service providers, emergency response managers and first responders, and others needing assistance to initiate, resume, or maintain communications operations to contact the FCC Operations Center by phone at 202-418-1122 or by e-mail at FCCOPS@fcc.gov.

 (3) The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, in coordination with the International Bureau, Media Bureau, Wireline Competition Bureau, and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, announces procedures to help communications service providers initiate, resume, and maintain operations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in preparation for, and in the aftermath of, Tropical Storm Laura. Bureau-specific guidance is provided below. For additional information, applicants should contact the appropriate Bureau-specific staff identified below.

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.