Charter Communications should expect public interest groups to oppose its ask that the FCC set a May sunset to the data caps and interconnection conditions from its purchase of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks (see 2006180050). The cable ISP could face watered-down opposition compared with what it faced to get regulatory OK, with some groups telling us it's question of available resources. The commission might be hesitant to act on the petition before the November election, we were told.

Don’t stop states from designating USF eligible telecom carriers, said a proposed resolution by the NARUC Telecom Committee for the state utility regulator association’s June 20-22 virtual meeting. The draft responds to an idea supported by some industry and FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly that’s raised state alarm (see 2006300010). It would ask Congress to reject the Expanding Opportunities for Broadband Deployment Act by Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., and amend the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act (HR-7302) by House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., to require providers seeking reimbursement be designated ETCs. Despite “several disparaging remarks” by one FCC commissioner about states’ role, the commission should cooperate with them, acknowledging their “significant role in closing the digital divide and in all Universal Service Fund programs,” said the proposed resolution. A proposed resolution in NARUC's Electricity Committee would support FAA approving beyond visual line of sight waivers for utility drones.

Don’t stop states from designating USF eligible telecom carriers, said a proposed resolution by the NARUC Telecom Committee for the state utility regulator association’s June 20-22 virtual meeting. The draft responds to an idea supported by some industry and FCC Commissioner Mike O'Rielly that’s raised state alarm (see 2006300010). It would ask Congress to reject the Expanding Opportunities for Broadband Deployment Act by Rep. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., and amend the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act (HR-7302) by House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., to require providers seeking reimbursement be designated ETCs. Despite “several disparaging remarks” by one FCC commissioner about states’ role, the commission should cooperate with them, acknowledging their “significant role in closing the digital divide and in all Universal Service Fund programs,” said the proposed resolution. A proposed resolution in NARUC's Electricity Committee would support FAA approving beyond visual line of sight waivers for utility drones.

States and privacy advocates hailed a federal court ruling Tuesday that said Maine’s ISP privacy law isn’t preempted by Congress or the FCC. The U.S. District Court of Maine order (in Pacer) is a preliminary win for Maine’s 2019 law countering Congress’ 2017 Congressional Review Act (CRA) repeal of 2016 FCC broadband privacy rules. It could pave the way for more state privacy laws and may have implications for state net neutrality laws, said the state law's supporters.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said, “generally technical fixes are easy to do,” and told International Trade Today that such a bill to make fixes to USMCA's implementation bill could hitch a ride on a Continuing Resolution to fund the government, if the bill were completed in time. Grassley said a week ago that he hasn't had any discussions on the technical fixes needed, including allowing post-importation refunds of merchandise processing fees.

U.S. trading partners “must abide by global trade rules so that American businesses can compete on a level playing field,” Americans for Free Trade, a coalition of 160 trade associations, wrote Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committee leaders Wednesday. “We disagree with the continued and indiscriminate use of tariffs to achieve those goals.” Four rounds of Trade Act Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports are causing “unnecessary harm" while "creating little leverage to achieve further concessions,” it said. The Trump administration vows to keep the tariffs until a phase 2 trade agreement with China, but that “seems less likely with each passing day,” said the coalition. The tariffs “have sown uncertainty in the world’s economy and mistrust with trading partners and have hindered, not helped, the U.S. response to the COVID-19 outbreak,” it said. Congress should also “demand” that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative “improve” the tariff exclusions process and raise the portion of exemptions “so that it provides meaningful relief.” Of nearly 53,000 exclusion requests U.S. importers filed for relief from the tariffs, 75.4% were denied (see 2006220047). USTR didn’t comment Thursday.

Wireless carriers warned California it will exceed legal authority with network resiliency requirements responding to wildfires and public safety power shutoffs. The California Public Utilities Commission received comments Wednesday in docket R.18-03-011 on a proposed decision giving wireless providers 12 months to deploy generators capable of 72-hour backup power in tiers 2 and 3 high-fire-threat districts. Counties hit hard by wildfires last year support the plan (see 2006170049). The PD "proposes several requirements that are unworkable and, as discussed below, exceed the Commission’s legal authority and are preempted by federal law,” commented CTIA. “Much of what has been proposed is expressly preempted by the federal Communications Act, barred by conflict preemption" given the FCC's "affirmative decision not to regulate these matters, and barred by field preemption.” Seek industry “informational filings,” CTIA asked. AT&T and T-Mobile raised similar issues. The proposal contains "factual, legal and technical errors that perpetuate certain fundamental misperceptions of wireless network resiliency and otherwise relies on unprecedented and unlawful assertions of Commission authority,” T-Mobile said: The CPUC lacks "authority to mandate how wireless carriers design their networks, the type or level of service they provide, the times that service is available, or what equipment should be used to help maintain service.” Noting the PD didn’t include infrastructure companies, the Wireless Infrastructure Association mostly supported the draft, including the proposed waiver process for areas where the requirement is infeasible or not needed. Avoid being “inundated with waiver requests," WIA suggested: “Any requirement that 72 hours of backup power must be deployed at all small cells would trigger an onslaught of waiver requests,” so expressly limit that requirement to macro cellsites that provide coverage. The Utility Reform Network said the CPUC has authority and “ample record support.” Also address "the need for reliable backhaul,” TURN said. The California State Association of Counties urged considering expanding the backup power rule to tier 1 high fire threat districts.

U.S. trading partners “must abide by global trade rules so that American businesses can compete on a level playing field,” Americans for Free Trade, a coalition of 160 trade associations, wrote Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committee leaders Wednesday. “We disagree with the continued and indiscriminate use of tariffs to achieve those goals.” Four rounds of Trade Act Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports are causing “unnecessary harm" while "creating little leverage to achieve further concessions,” it said. The Trump administration vows to keep the tariffs until a phase 2 trade agreement with China, but that “seems less likely with each passing day,” said the coalition. The tariffs “have sown uncertainty in the world’s economy and mistrust with trading partners and have hindered, not helped, the U.S. response to the COVID-19 outbreak,” it said. Congress should also “demand” that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative “improve” the tariff exclusions process and raise the portion of exemptions “so that it provides meaningful relief.” Of nearly 53,000 exclusion requests U.S. importers filed for relief from the tariffs, 75.4% were denied (see 2006220047). USTR didn’t comment Thursday.

U.S. trading partners “must abide by global trade rules so that American businesses can compete on a level playing field,” Americans for Free Trade, a coalition of 160 trade associations, wrote Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committee leaders Wednesday. “We disagree with the continued and indiscriminate use of tariffs to achieve those goals.” Four rounds of Trade Act Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports are causing “unnecessary harm" while "creating little leverage to achieve further concessions,” it said. The Trump administration vows to keep the tariffs until a phase 2 trade agreement with China, but that “seems less likely with each passing day,” said the coalition. The tariffs “have sown uncertainty in the world’s economy and mistrust with trading partners and have hindered, not helped, the U.S. response to the COVID-19 outbreak,” it said. Congress should also “demand” that the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative “improve” the tariff exclusions process and raise the portion of exemptions “so that it provides meaningful relief.” Of nearly 53,000 exclusion requests U.S. importers filed for relief from the tariffs, 75.4% were denied (see 2006220047). USTR didn’t comment Thursday.

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced the Earn It Act (S-3398) (see 2007010058) Thursday. A manager’s amendment from Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and another amendment from Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., passed.