The House passed the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act (HR-1695) Wednesday, as expected (see 1704200047 and 1704250063), voting 378-48 in favor of the legislation. The bill would make register a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed position with a 10-year term (see 1703230068). House Republicans voted 233-2 for HR-1695, while House Democrats split 145-46 in favor of the bill. Lopsided Democratic support for HR-1695 appeared to track with predictions by content-side stakeholders of significant support from the caucus. Tech sector lobbyists, who were unsure ahead of the roll call about how House Democrats would vote, indicated they still believe the bill faces an uncertain future in the more evenly divided Senate.

The House passed the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act (HR-1695) Wednesday, as expected (see 1704200047 and 1704250063), voting 378-48 in favor of the legislation. The bill would make register a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed position with a 10-year term (see 1703230068). House Republicans voted 233-2 for HR-1695, while House Democrats split 145-46 in favor of the bill. Lopsided Democratic support for HR-1695 appeared to track with predictions by content-side stakeholders of significant support from the caucus. Tech sector lobbyists, who were unsure ahead of the roll call about how House Democrats would vote, indicated they still believe the bill faces an uncertain future in the more evenly divided Senate.

FTC acting Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen's announcement last week of changes underway to simplify agency processes and enhance transparency (see 1704170016) were largely given a thumbs up in interviews this week with former staffers and others who follow the commission. The changes are in line with Republican views of a lighter regulatory touch. But experts said further process changes such as significantly reducing 20-year consent decrees imposed on companies, which House Republicans sought last year, may be more difficult.

FTC acting Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen's announcement last week of changes underway to simplify agency processes and enhance transparency (see 1704170016) were largely given a thumbs up in interviews this week with former staffers and others who follow the commission. The changes are in line with Republican views of a lighter regulatory touch. But experts said further process changes such as significantly reducing 20-year consent decrees imposed on companies, which House Republicans sought last year, may be more difficult.

LAS VEGAS -- Media ownership rule relaxation, or at least a hard look at existing rules, is likely under this FCC, said speakers on a panel at the NAB Show, including Commissioner Mike O'Rielly. He and others cited the so-called eight-voices test, which limits common ownership of TV stations within markets with fewer than that number of outlets. Panelists also cited rules against one company publishing a daily newspaper and owning a broadcaster in the same market.

Lawmakers are bracing for FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s possible rulemaking notice on the commission’s 2015 open internet order, which some believe will target Communications Act Title II for rollback and may be unveiled Wednesday (see 1704240049). The agency may be contacting some Capitol Hill offices on the matter, though Democrats say they're in the dark. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., is hopeful this possible pending action will spur bipartisan legislative negotiation that he has sought this year and in 2015, interests he has discussed with the FCC before this action.

Lawmakers are bracing for FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s possible rulemaking notice on the commission’s 2015 open internet order, which some believe will target Communications Act Title II for rollback and may be unveiled Wednesday (see 1704240049). The agency may be contacting some Capitol Hill offices on the matter, though Democrats say they're in the dark. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune, R-S.D., is hopeful this possible pending action will spur bipartisan legislative negotiation that he has sought this year and in 2015, interests he has discussed with the FCC before this action.

Multiple U.S. satellite operators had numerous suggestions for Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada as the agency considers revisions to non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) licensing rules (see 1703090018). The FCC also is looking at updating its own NGSO fixed satellite service (FSS) rules (see 1612150066).

The FCC changed a rule to give rural telcos more flexibility to invest in broadband networks without losing high-cost USF subsidy support. The order approved Thursday by commissioners 3-0 will allow rate-of-return carriers to receive USF support for broadband deployment projects with average location costs that exceed a company's capital expenditure limit if they pay for the excess amounts with their own funds. Under a March 2016 rural USF overhaul order, a company construction project that exceeds that limit loses all its USF support, said commission officials and a news release. Thursday's order granted in part an NTCA petition for reconsideration.

The FCC changed a rule to give rural telcos more flexibility to invest in broadband networks without losing high-cost USF subsidy support. The order approved Thursday by commissioners 3-0 will allow rate-of-return carriers to receive USF support for broadband deployment projects with average location costs that exceed a company's capital expenditure limit if they pay for the excess amounts with their own funds. Under a March 2016 rural USF overhaul order, a company construction project that exceeds that limit loses all its USF support, said commission officials and a news release. Thursday's order granted in part an NTCA petition for reconsideration.