Despite strong Democratic opposition, Senate Judiciary Committee Chmn. Specter (R-Pa.) plans mark up next week of the electronic surveillance bill (S-2453) so it can get to the Senate floor. “I know there is opposition,” he said: “But frankly I find the arguments hard to understand.” Specter had a hearing Wed. on the bill where top security officials told why they need surveillance reforms the bill proposes (WID July 27 p3).

The FCC wants comment on questions raised in a report by the Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks and in a notice of proposed rulemaking, both released June 19. Comments are due Aug. 7, replies 2 weeks later. The Katrina NPRM opened the door for the FCC to act on suggestions not contained in the report (CD June 21 p4). “We request that, in addressing the issues raised in the notice of proposed rulemaking… parties address the applicability of the Panel’s recommendations to all types of natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, forest fires) as well as other types of incidents (e.g., terrorist attacks, flu pandemic, industrial accidents, etc),” the Commission said in a notice. “Parties should also discuss whether the panel’s recommendations are broad enough to take into account the diverse topography of our nation, the susceptibility of a region to a particular type of disaster, and the multitude of communications capabilities a region may possess.”

Despite strong Democratic opposition, Senate Judiciary Committee Chmn. Specter (R-Pa.) plans mark up next week of the electronic surveillance bill (S-2453) so it can get to the Senate floor. “I know there is opposition,” he said: “But frankly I find the arguments hard to understand.” Specter had a hearing Wed. on the bill where top security officials told why they need surveillance reforms the bill proposes (CD July 27 p4).

The Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP) program won’t work long-term without coordinated assistance, GAO Dir. International Affairs & Trade Loren Yager said Wed. in a Senate Homeland Security Oversight Subcommittee hearing. STOP lacks the “permanence or the accountability mechanisms that would facilitate oversight by Congress,” GAO said in a report. Pilferage at U.S. borders needs “sustained attention,” Yager said.

Council Tree, Bethel Native Corporation (BNC) and the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council told the FCC they wanted to withdraw a petition for expedited reconsideration of the designated rules for the upcoming advanced wireless services auction, because action on their complaint has shifted to the 3rd U.S. Appeals Court, Philadelphia (CD June 30 p1). The AWS auction is to begin Aug. 9. Neither Council Tree nor BNC filed applications to bid in the auction.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued press statements announcing that the House of Representatives and Senate have passed legislation to implement the free trade agreement (FTA) with Oman. The next step is for the President to issue a proclamation. (USTR House release, dated 07/20/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/July/Statement_of_USTR_Susan_C_Schwab_on_House_Passage_of_US-Oman_Free_Trade_Agreement.html, USTR Senate release, dated 6/29/06, available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/June/Statement_of_US_Trade_Representative_Susan_C_Schwab_on_Senate_Passage_of_US-Oman_Free_Trade_Agreement.html)

Broadcasters, advertisers and legislators should work together to address public concerns about indecency and other issues likely to animate Capitol Hill for some time, said Sen. Brownback (R-Kan.). Given pressure for advertising standards, industry should study how media affect children’s development, he said. At a Kids Now forum, FCC commissioners including Copps voiced similar sentiments. Copps wants the agency to regulate interactive TV and embrace an industry proposal on kids TV ad limits that would curb display of Web addresses.

Another interest group -- the National Assn. of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) -- sought Wed. to be part of the Tunney Act court review of the SBC-AT&T and Verizon- MCI mergers. Opposition swirled around an earlier bid for entry by the American Antitrust Institute (AAI).

A bill that would use universal service support as a hook to force schools and libraries to bar minors from commercial social-networking sites and chat rooms got mixed reviews in a Tues. House Commerce Telecom & Internet Subcommittee hearing. The Deleting Online Predators Act (HR- 5319), introduced this spring by Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), might go too far in some ways and not far enough in others, members and witnesses said.

ITSO took the FCC up on an invitation to petition for conditions on certain Intelsat satellite licenses under Sec. 316 of the Communications Act -- rather than in the now- closed Intelsat/PanAmSat merger proceeding. Late Mon. the 148-state international satellite organization filed a lengthy petition at the FCC, restating concerns raised during the PanAmSat acquisition and calling for Commission and U.S. action. A vestige of the intergovernmental Intelsat charged with oversight of Intelsat’s public service commitments, ITSO wants “modifications” to Intelsat “common heritage” satellite licenses, it said. That involves around 23 slots held by the operator when it privatized in 2001.