Nebraska can’t wait for the FCC to get good broadband maps, said state Sen. Bruce Bostelman (R) at a livestreamed hearing Tuesday in the unicameral legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. But the telecom industry poo-pooed having the Nebraska Public Service Commission draw its own map as proposed by Bostelman’s LB-914.
A New Hampshire panel punted on an RF safety bill that would require 5G telecom antennas to be placed at least 1,640 feet from residentially zoned areas, parks, schools, playgrounds, hospitals, nursing homes and day care centers. HB-1644, previewed by sponsor Rep. Patrick Abrami (D) this summer (see 2108230043), also would create a registry for anyone experiencing radiation exposure symptoms. At a livestreamed Monday meeting, the House Science, Technology and Energy Committee voted 17-4 to study the issue more rather than adopt HB-1644 now. Testimony clearly showed people suffered from various physical and neurological issues, and "there may be a correlation” to wireless emissions, but “the committee was uncertain as to the causation of such ailments,” said Vice Chairman Douglas Thomas (R). More study could lead to a compromise next session that will get more support, he said. Rep. Lucius Parshall (D), one of the no votes, said he would rather temporarily ban 5G deployment while the study happens. The state lacks authority to impose a moratorium, said Rep. Jacqueline Cali-Pitts (D), supporting more study. Thomas’ subcommittee voted 3-1 to recommend the interim study, at a meeting earlier Monday. “We've heard testimony pretty strongly on both sides of the fence, and it's very complex,” he said before that vote. “Unfortunately, this is an early bill. We would have liked to have been able to put together an amendment to make it more palatable ... but time won't allow us.” HB-1644 could “jeopardize” state emergency communications, Mark Doyle, New Hampshire Department of Safety Emergency Services and Communications director, testified between subcommittee and full committee votes. It could negatively affect public safety radios and 911 services because people are making more emergency calls from cellphones, he said. HB-1644 was based on a November 2020 report by Abrami and others on a state 5G commission that said the FCC could be ignoring wireless RF dangers due to industry influence (see 2011020046).
A Washington state bill meant to streamline broadband grants and loans cleared the House Capital Budget Committee at a livestreamed meeting Friday. Members voted 19-3 for HB-1673, which would allow the state’s Public Works Board to make low- or no-interest loans or grants for emergency public works broadband projects. It would also remove requirements that the board must consult with the Utilities and Transportation Commission before awarding funds and that the UTC must provide the board a technical feasibility assessment of proposed applications. Rep. Peter Abbarno (R) supported the bipartisan bill as a “step forward” that will speed broadband funding. Rep. Vicki Kraft (R) voted no because she would prefer giving tax credits to the private sector, she said. Thursday in Hawaii, two Senate committees cleared a bill requiring public housing built, renovated or reconstructed after Jan. 1, 2023, to have broadband access. Government Operations and Housing committees each voted 5-0 Thursday for SB-2479. State legislatures are weighing many broadband bills this year with federal funds coming (see 2202030038).
Anticipating federal infrastructure and COVID-19 relief funding, state legislators reflected on their broadband roles at hearings this week. An Oregon committee weighed a bill Wednesday to get the state ready for funding, and a Maine panel Thursday mulled what connectivity work will be left when federal dollars dwindle. “All these states are figuring out how to now regulate broadband in a more comprehensive manner, especially as we see so much money being devoted,” noted Hawaii House Majority Leader Della Au Belatti (D) at a webcast hearing.
A Washington state digital right-to-repair bill cleared the House Appropriations Committee 18-14. Democrats supported the bill; Republicans were opposed. HB-1810, opposed by industry at a hearing last week (see 2201280026), would require manufacturers to make documentation, parts and tools available to owners and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms. Urging a no vote at Tuesday's webcast hearing, Rep. Drew Stokesbary (R) worried HB-1810 would hurt companies’ intellectual property rights without benefiting consumers. The House Consumer Protection Committee voted 4-3 Wednesday to clear HB-1801 to study creating a repairability index. All Republicans voted nay. The vote was on a substitute by Chairman Steve Kirby (D) that removed language that would have required manufacturers to label products with repairability scores, which had raised concerns (see 2201190049). More study is needed before requiring a score, said Kirby at the livestreamed hearing. Task force recommendations would be due July 1, 2023, with annual updates on the same day in the next two years.
Comprehensive state privacy bills marched forward in Indiana and Washington state. The Indiana Senate passed SB-358 in a unanimous 49-0 vote Tuesday, and a Washington House panel narrowly cleared an amended HB-1850 Wednesday. Elsewhere, a Virginia Senate panel cleared edits to its 2021 law and a Maryland committee heard testimony on a biometrics privacy bill.
The Florida Public Service Commission delayed adopting staff-recommended changes to draft pole attachment dispute rules Tuesday after AT&T suggested edits Monday. At a livestreamed PSC meeting, staff and electric companies objected to some parts of the carrier’s eleventh-hour filing to modify a staff agreement reached last week with the cable industry.
Consumer and prison inmate advocates urged the California Public Utilities Commission to regulate video calling and other non-voice services used by incarcerated people to communicate with their families. But big inmate calling service (ICS) providers said Friday the CPUC can’t regulate those products because they're Title I information services under the 1996 Telecom Act.
A Washington state committee cleared a proposed update to the state’s emergency communication law for next-generation 911. The House Appropriations Committee adopted HB-1703 by unanimous voice vote at a virtual hearing Thursday. Washington 911 “needs to stay up to date with modern technology,” said sponsor Rep. Cindy Ryu (D) at the hearing. The bill would also coordinate 911 with the state’s new 988 system, she said. The committee heard testimony but didn’t vote on digital equity and right-to-repair bills. CTIA opposed requiring carriers to participate in broadband adoption programs envisioned by HB-1723, which cleared another House committee earlier this month (see 2201180057). Such a mandate is preempted by federal law; legislators should make wireless participation voluntary, said CTIA lobbyist Jeff Gombosky. Seattle Digital Equity Program Manager David Keyes supported the adoption bill as a "critical companion to infrastructure support." Industry slammed HB-1810, which would require manufacturers to make documentation, parts and tools available to owners and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms. It passed another committee this month (see 2201190049). TechNet opposes requiring manufacturers to provide “unvetted third parties with sensitive diagnostic information and software, tools and parts without requiring the critical consumer protections afforded by authorized repair networks,” said Vice President-State Policy David Edmonson. The market gives consumers a wide range of repair choices, said CTIA Director-State Legislative Affairs Lisa McCabe. Adding a private right of action would reduce enforcement costs for the Washington attorney general’s office, suggested Consumer Protection Division Assistant AG Amy Teng.
California’s net neutrality law survived an appeal by ISP associations at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The panel’s Friday opinion that the FCC can’t preempt states after giving up its own broadband authority could affect ISP challenges of Vermont net neutrality and New York state affordable broadband laws, said legal experts.