Kentucky TRS Surcharge Proceeding 

The Kentucky Public Service Commission has opened a proceeding to review the TRS fund and to determine whether the TRS surcharge should be adjusted.  Any comments must be filed no later than October 25, 2019.

In 2018, the Commission decided that it would conduct an annual formal review as to the adequacy of the TRS fund surcharge.  It determined that annual reviews would reduce the potential for large balance shortfalls and overages by making any necessary adjustments to the surcharge.  Any adjustment will be implemented on the first day of the following calendar year.  

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The Regulatory Mix Today:  Kentucky TRS Surcharge Proceeding, FCC Modifies DBS Rules, US Senate Consumer Protection Legislation

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FCC Modifies DBS Rules 

At its Open Meeting last week, the FCC voted to issue a Report and Order modernizing the procedures and rules governing the direct broadcast satellite service (DBS). The decision aligns the FCC’s DBS processing procedures with its recently streamlined processing procedures for geostationary orbit fixed-satellite service satellites.  Specifically, the order adopts a process for considering new DBS service applications on a “first-come, first-served” basis. It also applies the milestone and bond requirements for geostationary orbit fixed-satellite service to DBS services, extends the license term of non-broadcast DBS space stations from 10 to 15 years, and ends the current “freeze” on applications for DBS licenses.  

US Senate Consumer Protection Legislation  

Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO) announced that he introduced legislation to require that technology companies who manufacture Internet-connected devices disclose to consumers whether those devices contain any microphones or cameras.  S2532, the Protecting Privacy in our Homes Actrequires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to implement regulations requiring manufacturers to give consumers notice if Internet-connected devices contain cameras or microphones. 

“Consumers face a number of challenges when it comes to their privacy, but they shouldn’t have a challenge figuring out if a device they buy has a camera or microphone imbedded into it,” said Senator Gardner. “My legislation today will require the FTC to come up with a procedure that says to manufacturers of Internet of Things devices that if they build a product that contains a microphone or a camera, they simply have to disclose that to the consumer. That way, the consumer knows whether or not this device has a camera capable of capturing images or a microphone capable of listening and can start asking questions about where this information is going and how it is being shared. This legislation is about consumer information, consumer empowerment, and making sure we’re doing everything we can to protect consumer privacy.” 

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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.