Pallone Finalizing New Version of Emergency Communications Bill
House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., is about to unveil a deal addressing wireless industry concerns about his Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act (HR-3998), Pallone said Tuesday in an opening statement for a full committee markup Wednesday and Thursday. CTIA had lauded Pallone's goals but in written testimony earlier this year questioned the need for legislation (see 1604120059).
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“This bill seeks to ensure that consumers have access to essential communications networks when we need them most in an emergency,” Pallone said Tuesday. “I am happy to report that the wireless industry has heard my concerns. They have been working closely with my office and the FCC to reach an agreement that will address many of the elements included in my bill. I hope to finalize that deal and announce details before the bill comes up for a vote.”
The markup is taking up nine telecom bills this week. Six were recently addressed during a subcommittee markup and legislative hearing: Pallone’s emergency communications bill, plus the Rural Health Care Connectivity Act (HR-4111), Kari’s Law Act (HR-4167), the Kelsey Smith Act (HR-4889), the Anti-Swatting Act (HR-2031), and the Spectrum Challenge Prize bill (HR-4190). Pallone is “happy that the Republicans decided not to mark up their harmful Lifeline bill,” he said, referring to the Lifeline budget cap bill also considered alongside those other measures previously. “That bill would rip phones out of the hands of millions of Americans who need the most help.”
House Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., singled out the Kelsey Smith Act Tuesday in his opening statement. It’s “an important bill that will require telecommunications carriers to share location data if law enforcement believes someone is in danger" or faces "serious harm,” he said. “Twenty-two states have already implemented this law, and it’s time we do it at the national level.”
The other telecom markup measures are HR-2589, which would require the FCC to publish on its website changes to FCC rules within 24 hours after adoption; HR-2592, requiring the FCC to publish on the FCC website documents to be voted on by the agency; and HR-2593, which would require identification and description online of any FCC items decided on delegated authority. Those FCC process measures were introduced and debated last year, attracting much Democratic pushback.
“I am disappointed that they pulled a last-minute switch for three other FCC process bills,” Pallone said. “I do not understand why the Republicans need to make a mockery of our own procedures every time they want to talk about the FCC’s process. While Democrats will do our best to improve these bills, these types of partisan tactics make it appear that the Republicans are not serious about legislating on these important FCC-related issues.”
“We have three bills that have one simple goal: increase transparency at the agency,” Upton said, defending the FCC process overhaul measures. “We’ve seen time and again that much of the agency’s work occurs behind closed doors, with little public insight into the decision-making and operations at the FCC. This does not lead to good policy, and it does not create the kind of culture of accountability that consumers deserve. By requiring the FCC to publicly post work product, rule changes, and delegations of authority, industry [regulatees] and the public alike benefit from increased visibility into the process.”