FCC Open Meeting Agenda

The FCC announced  the final agenda for its February 14, 2019, Open Meeting.  The agenda is as follows:

• Anti-Spoofing Provisions of the RAY BAUM’S Act – A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to amend the FCC’s Truth in Caller ID rules to implement the anti-spoofing provisions of the RAY BAUM’S Act.
• Transitioning to CAF Phase II Auction Support in Price Cap Areas –  A  Report and Order establishing a schedule to end Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase I support in price cap areas where winning bidders in the CAF Phase II auction will begin receiving Phase II support and in areas that were not eligible for the auction, while providing interim support in areas that did not receive any bids.
• Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) –A Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order to adopt measures, and seek comment on others, to enhance program management, prevent waste, fraud, and abuse, and improve emergency call handling in the IP CTS program.
• Licensing Noncommercial Educational Broadcast and Low Power FM Stations –A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes revisions to the Commission’s NCE and LPFM comparative processing and licensing rules.
• Elimination of Form 397 –A Report and Order eliminating the requirement in Section 73.2080(f)(2) of the Commission's rules that certain broadcast television and radio stations file the Broadcast Mid-Term Report (Form 397).

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The Regulatory Mix Today: FCC Open Meeting Agenda, New York Governor Announces $31.6 Million in Funding for Electric Vehicles, House Legislation On Open Internet

New York Governor Announces $31.6 Million in Funding for Electric Vehicles

The Governor of New York announced that New York is making up to $31.6 million available to ramp-up the expansion of electric vehicle fast charging stations to serve the future electric vehicle market and accommodate the needs and demands of the growing consumer marketplace.  The plan, which was approved today by the New York Public Service Commission will use funds to spur the private-sector development of much-needed fast-charging infrastructure to support the goal of 800,000 zero-emission vehicles in New York by 2025 — representing nearly one out of every ten vehicles on the road. 

"More and more New Yorkers are seeking out cleaner and greener means of transportation, and we must ensure there is necessary infrastructure in place across the state so drivers can travel any distance without fear of losing power," Governor Cuomo said. "These public-private partnerships will spur the development of this growing industry, create new jobs, and advance our aggressive efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.”

House Legislation On Open Internet

At the February 7, 2019, House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on the Open Internet See the Regulatory Mix dated 2/1/19, ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) called on Congress to pass a permanent legislative solution to net neutrality. “The fact is, since its creation the internet has been the single most important driver of economic growth, job creation, and a better quality of life for all Americans. How we address the future of the internet will impact generations of Americans to come and deserves an open and honest public debate.”  Walden has introduced legislation that codifies into law permanent prohibitions on blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization for internet traffic, and requires that internet service providers (ISPs) be transparent in their network management practices and prices.  It is identical to legislation Walden introduced in 2015.

Other members of the committee introduced their own bills.  Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH) introduced net neutrality legislation that he believes could gain bipartisan support because it is based on legislation introduced by former Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and does not use the Title II framework.  Latta said about the bill, “Like most attempts over the years in Congress and the FCC alike, the bill focuses on the potential behaviors of concern, namely, blocking, throttling, and discriminatory practices. What it does not include is the drastic, outlier measure of reclassifying broadband into Title II, the part of statute meant to regulate the monopoly telephone carriers of the last century. Title II is from the era of this antique that was used by my family before telephones even had rotary dials.”

Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) also introduced a bill called the Promoting Internet Freedom and Innovation Act.  She said: “[m]y bill is based on the Washington State law and would codify the “bright line rules” of Net Neutrality, specifically: no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization… The Internet is vital to our future, and the opportunity that it provides is vital to the economic potential of hardworking men and women in the 21st century. I want to once and for all resolve this manufactured political debate and provide certainty to the internet ecosystem so that we can make that opportunity a reality for every single American.”

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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.