Today:  FCC May Open Meeting Agenda, California PUC Releases Draft Resolution on Citation Program, Georgia Texting While Driving Law 

FCC May Open Meeting Agenda

The FCC announced the agenda for its May 10, 2018, Open Meeting.  The following items are on the agenda:

• Transforming the 2.5 GHz Band –A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would allow more efficient and effective use of 2.5 GHz spectrum by increasing flexibility for existing Educational Broadband Service (EBS) licensees and providing new opportunities for educational entities, rural Tribal Nations, and commercial entities to access unused portions of the band.
• FM Translator Interference Rules –A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to streamline the rules relating to interference caused by FM translators and expedite the translator complaint resolution process.
• Broadcast License Posting Rules – A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on whether to streamline or eliminate certain rules which require the physical posting and maintenance of broadcast licenses and related information in specific locations.

The FCC will also consider an enforcement bureau action and hearing designation order for which no details were made public.

California PUC Releases Draft Resolution on Potential Citation Program

The PUC in California has released a draft resolution that may be voted on at the PUC’s May 31, 2018 meeting.  The resolution would authorize the Communications Division Staff to implement a citation program for enforcing compliance by telecommunications carriers with the PUC’s Resolutions, Decisions, Orders and the Public Utilities Code. The resolution adopts a citation procedure, a list of specific violations, the corresponding amount of penalties, and an appeal procedure.  Comments are due May 21, 2018. 

Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers watch for the upcoming Briefings on this proceeding.

Georgia Texting While Driving Law

The Governor of Georgia has enacted a new law that prohibits drivers from using a handheld wireless telecommunications device (i.e. cellular phone, GPS receiver, PDA, etc.) while operating a motor vehicle on any highway in the state of Georgia.  The law does allow for wrist worn devices that conduct a voice-based communication.  The law also allows for voice-to-text based communication.  The first violation includes a fine up to $50 and one point against a license, a second conviction within a 24-month period can net up to $100 and two points, and a third conviction within a 24-month period nets up to a $150 fine and three points.  Interestingly, the law allows first-time offenders a one-time exception if they prove in court that they purchased a device that would allow them to comply with the law.  The law is scheduled to become effective July 1, 2018.

Georgia is the 16th state to ban handheld phones while driving in some form, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s daily 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.