A proposal for House and Senate leaders to sue NTIA to delay the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority transition is raising eyebrows among the IANA switch's backers, with several lawyers and lobbyists telling us they don't believe a legal challenge would hold up in court. A TechFreedom-led coalition of groups skeptical of the transition on Thursday urged House and Senate leaders to sue NTIA, claiming the agency is rushing the transition for political reasons. The groups also claimed NTIA violated a rider in the Department of Commerce's FY 2016 budget that bars the department from using its funds on the transition before Sept. 30 (see 1608110062). ICANN was expected to transmit a report to NTIA Friday updating its progress with implementing governance changes for the switchover but hadn't done so at our deadline.
A proposal for House and Senate leaders to sue NTIA to delay the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority transition is raising eyebrows among the IANA switch's backers, with several lawyers and lobbyists telling us they don't believe a legal challenge would hold up in court. A TechFreedom-led coalition of groups skeptical of the transition on Thursday urged House and Senate leaders to sue NTIA, claiming the agency is rushing the transition for political reasons. The groups also claimed NTIA violated a rider in the Department of Commerce's FY 2016 budget that bars the department from using its funds on the transition before Sept. 30 (see 1608110062). ICANN was expected to transmit a report to NTIA Friday updating its progress with implementing governance changes for the switchover but hadn't done so at our deadline.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Aug. 12 submitted to Congress the Obama administration’s draft statement of administrative action (SAA) for U.S. implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (here). The document summarizes the TPP implementation legislation the administration intends to send to Congress, as well as the administration's overall interpretation of provisions of the trade agreement, which will be subject to approval by Congress. Submission of the draft SAA to Congress starts a 30-day clock, after which the administration may submit TPP implementation legislation to Congress alongside the final SAA.
CTA hailed the EPA for “rescinding” the Energy Star TV testing changes it imposed in May, Doug Johnson, vice president-technology policy, said in a Thursday statement. EPA rescinded the changes as part of the launch of the latest revision in the Energy Star TV specification, the agency confirmed.
A legal challenge appears all but certain if, as expected, the FCC enacts privacy rules for ISPs, lawyers on both sides of the debate told us. In numerous filings, industry groups and companies repeatedly said the rules violate the law. Lawyers said Chairman Tom Wheeler likely expects the agency to be sued and that hasn't stopped him from acting on other similarly tough issues.
A legal challenge appears all but certain if, as expected, the FCC enacts privacy rules for ISPs, lawyers on both sides of the debate told us. In numerous filings, industry groups and companies repeatedly said the rules violate the law. Lawyers said Chairman Tom Wheeler likely expects the agency to be sued and that hasn't stopped him from acting on other similarly tough issues.
A legal challenge appears all but certain if, as expected, the FCC enacts privacy rules for ISPs, lawyers on both sides of the debate told us. In numerous filings, industry groups and companies repeatedly said the rules violate the law. Lawyers said Chairman Tom Wheeler likely expects the agency to be sued and that hasn't stopped him from acting on other similarly tough issues.
House lawmakers pressed the Department of Veterans Affairs Tuesday on VA use of telemedicine. Two members of the Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee convened a field hearing in Camarillo, California, and raised a variety of issues about how the federal government is using the technology and necessary next steps. The hearing wasn't streamed, and these remarks are from opening statements and prepared testimony.
House lawmakers pressed the Department of Veterans Affairs Tuesday on VA use of telemedicine. Two members of the Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee convened a field hearing in Camarillo, California, and raised a variety of issues about how the federal government is using the technology and necessary next steps. The hearing wasn't streamed, and these remarks are from opening statements and prepared testimony.
Comcast urged a federal district court to hit the brakes in a 911 fee remittance case until the Georgia Court of Appeals decides whether to hear related cases involving AT&T and EarthLink. Comcast wants the U.S. District Court in Atlanta to dismiss a complaint by Cobb and Gwinnett counties alleging the cable company failed to bill, collect, report and remit the appropriate amount of 911 charges from customers. Last month, the counties told the district court about July 14 Gwinnett County Superior Court rulings rejecting AT&T and EarthLink motions to dismiss in two similar lawsuits by the counties (see 1607200021). The counties said the district court should make the same ruling on Comcast’s motion. But in a Wednesday response (in Pacer), Comcast said the federal court should wait to see if the Georgia Court of Appeals hears a joint appeal sought by AT&T and EarthLink. The Georgia court must decide whether to hear the case by Sept. 8. “The Joint Application raises three questions of Georgia law that are outcome determinative of Defendants’ motions: first, whether a right of action can be implied in the Georgia 911 Act, a statute which contains no express right of action in favor of counties like the plaintiffs here; second, whether a county can circumvent the unavailability of a private right of action by asserting common-law claims; and third, whether the 911 charge is a tax, not a fee,” Comcast said. “If the Georgia Court of Appeals declines to hear the appeal, the parties will be in the same position as they are now, with neither side benefited or prejudiced by the delay.”