The Regulatory Mix - Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Today: US Congress Schedules the FCC Reauthorization Act of 2018 for Markup, FCC Commissioners Weigh In on White House Infrastructure Plan 

US Congress Schedules the FCC Reauthorization Act of 2018 for Markup

The Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), has scheduled a markup for Wednesday, February 14, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. in room 2123 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

Included in the legislation scheduled for markup is H.R. 4986, the FCC Reauthorization Act of 2018, also authored by #SubCommTech Chairman Blackburn, which would reauthorize the FCC and include process reforms to ensure the FCC continues to improve its efficiency and transparency. H.R. 4986 passed #SubCommTech by voice vote on October 11, 2017. A substitute amendment, to be made available tomorrow, will add provisions to;

• Authorize a repack fund to address the apparent shortfall in funding available to relocate broadcasters being displaced in the aftermath of the spectrum incentive auction, and set up new relocation funds for translators, low-power television, and radio stations that will be impacted – supplemented by a consumer education fund. 
• Encourage wireless innovation through the inclusion of provisions from Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune’s MOBILE NOW Act, S. 19

FCC Commissioners Weigh In on White House Infrastructure Plan

Statement of Chairman Ajit Pai following the release of the White House Infrastructure Plan:

“Too often, regulatory barriers make it harder and more expensive to build out broadband than

it needs to be—to the detriment of American consumers. That’s why this plan is a welcome

and strong call to action. I stand ready to work with the Administration and Congress to turn

this plan into a reality as we continue to bridge the digital divide and extend 5G digital

opportunity to all Americans.”

Statement of Commissioner Brendan Carr regarding the release of the White House Infrastructure Plan:

“To win the global race to 5G, we must fundamentally reform our infrastructure deployment rules. It is great to see the Administration’s infrastructure plan put a priority on efforts that would expedite deployment. We must ensure that our regulatory structures are 5G Ready.”

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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.