The FCC’s final version of its order addressing 5G spectrum in the 37 GHz band includes numerous significant changes over the draft proposed by Chairman Ajit Pai, based on a side-by-side comparison. The final version, posted Monday, adds new paragraphs dealing mostly with industry concerns that DOD could ask for additional protection in the band beyond those areas already protected, following an auction later this year.

The Fish and Wildlife Service is increasing amounts of civil penalties for violations of the laws and regulations it administers, including the Lacey Act and Endangered Species Act, it said in a final rule. The annual increase for inflation raises penalties about 2 percent over penalty amounts set in 2018, FWS said.

California lawmakers shouldn’t worry about breaking last year’s privacy deal that led to the California Consumer Protection Act, the Electronic Frontier Foundation said. Some raised that concern at a hearing last week about a bill proposed by Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) to add a private right of action and toughen enforcement (see 1904100051). “What lawmakers should remember is that their most important deal is with their constituents,” EFF Legislative Activist Hayley Tsukayama blogged Thursday. American Civil Liberties Union polling shows 96 percent of Californians support stronger privacy laws, she said.

California lawmakers shouldn’t worry about breaking last year’s privacy deal that led to the California Consumer Protection Act, the Electronic Frontier Foundation said. Some raised that concern at a hearing last week about a bill proposed by Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) to add a private right of action and toughen enforcement (see 1904100051). “What lawmakers should remember is that their most important deal is with their constituents,” EFF Legislative Activist Hayley Tsukayama blogged Thursday. American Civil Liberties Union polling shows 96 percent of Californians support stronger privacy laws, she said.

Uber's hiring away from Expedia of CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in September 2017 put it on “a new path forward,” after “many challenges regarding our culture, workplace practices, and reputation,” said an initial public offering filing Thursday at the SEC to raise $1 billion (see 1904110072). Uber paid Khosrowshahi $45.3 million in total 2018 compensation, including $40 million in stock awards, $1 million in base salary, a $2 million cash bonus and $2.2 million in other pay, said the IPO.

The FCC approved a process for sharing in the upper 37 GHz band, despite complaints from Commissioners Mike O’Rielly, Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks (see 1904100071). The two Democrats partially dissented. Chairman Ajit Pai, meanwhile, announced that the 37, 39 and 47 GHz auction will start Dec. 10 -- the FCC's third high-band auction. Commissioners approved a public notice on rules for the auction amid complaints by Rosenworcel and O’Rielly. Agency members also approved telecom and cable items.

Uber's hiring away from Expedia of CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in September 2017 put it on “a new path forward,” after “many challenges regarding our culture, workplace practices, and reputation,” said an initial public offering filing Thursday at the SEC to raise $1 billion (see 1904110072). Uber paid Khosrowshahi $45.3 million in total 2018 compensation, including $40 million in stock awards, $1 million in base salary, a $2 million cash bonus and $2.2 million in other pay, said the IPO.

Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., said he's aiming for the chamber to pass the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act (S-151) by unanimous consent (UC) once Congress returns at the end of April from its two-week recess. Thune and other subcommittee members boosted the bill during Thursday's hearing on illegal robocalls. S-151 would increase FCC authority to act against robocalls violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. It would increase coordination between federal agencies and state attorneys general in a bid to increase criminal prosecution of illegal robocallers (see 1901170039). Other anti-robocall legislation is also coming, lawmakers said.

Senate Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., said he's aiming for the chamber to pass the Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act (S-151) by unanimous consent (UC) once Congress returns at the end of April from its two-week recess. Thune and other subcommittee members boosted the bill during Thursday's hearing on illegal robocalls. S-151 would increase FCC authority to act against robocalls violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. It would increase coordination between federal agencies and state attorneys general in a bid to increase criminal prosecution of illegal robocallers (see 1901170039). Other anti-robocall legislation is also coming, lawmakers said.

There was bipartisan agreement among Senate Commerce Committee members Wednesday that the federal government's practices for collecting broadband coverage data remain deficient and that Capitol Hill needs to begin taking action. Senate Commerce and others on the Hill repeatedly have raised those issues in recent years. NTIA's increased role in coordinating federal work on broadband mapping got scrutiny earlier this month at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the Commerce Department's fiscal year 2020 budget request (see 1904020070). Deficiencies in the FCC's data collection practices was a central issue at a Senate Communications Subcommittee hearing last month on rural broadband (see 1903120069).