The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission plans to vote Sept. 21 on whether to resume proceedings on revoking LTD Broadband’s eligible telecom carrier (ETC) designation (docket 22-221). Commissions will also consider whether to grant Minnesota Telecom Association and the Minnesota Rural Electric Association’s motion to suspend LTD’s ETC designation in the meantime, said an agenda posted Friday. In comments last month, LTD told the commission there’s no urgent need to resume the proceeding (see 2308220051), while Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) and industry and public interest groups said the matter mustn’t be delayed any further (see 2308140032). Also at the meeting, the PUC plans to consider annual ETC certifications for receiving federal USF support (docket 23-8).
The Treasury Department awarded Oklahoma $167.7 million through the Capital Projects Fund Friday. The funding will support broadband infrastructure projects through the state's grant program, said a news release. Oklahoma estimates it will connect about 20,000 homes and businesses.
Colorado proposed how it will run its challenge process for NTIA’s broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program. The state broadband office released the draft first volume of its initial proposal Friday, seeking comment by Oct. 9. NTIA allocated Colorado $826.5 million for BEAD.
The District of Columbia Council Judiciary and Public Safety Committee plans a hearing Oct. 5 at 9:30 a.m. on the Office of Unified Communications. The committee will also hear testimony on a bill (B25-0344) meant to enhance transparency and accuracy at the 911 center (see 2306160024), said a hearing notice posted Thursday.
Missouri’s Public Counsel “supports a renewed look” at the state’s relay service fund, the office commented Thursday at the Missouri Public Service Commission in case TO-2024-0033. The PSC sought comment last month on the continued need for the state’s TRS fund and to review the program’s current 10 cent per line monthly surcharge (see 2308140044). The office cited a declining number of subscribers and technological advancement as reasons to review the Relay Missouri Fund. “If this analysis were to indicate that certain telecommunications services would be lost for deaf, hearing-impaired, and/or speech impaired Missourians, and that the Relay Missouri Fund should continue, it may be worthwhile to revisit the Fund and determine whether changes should be made to better reflect the types of services needed today.”
California legislators supported drafting a digital equity bill of rights. The Assembly voted 69-0 Thursday to concur with Senate amendments to AB-414. It passed the Senate unanimously Tuesday (see 2309070042) and goes next to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). Also Thursday, the Senate voted 38-0 to pass AB-41, which aims to tighten digital equity requirements in the state’s video franchise law but is opposed by a public interest group (see 2308170044). The Assembly must concur with Senate amendments. Assembly members voted 89-0 Thursday for SB-60, which would require social media platforms to remove posts on illegal drug sales. The Senate must concur with Assembly edits.
The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission granted an AT&T petition to relinquish its eligible telecom carrier (ETC) designations statewide. AT&T may stop enrolling new Lifeline customers there within five days of Wednesday’s order (docket 41052 ETC 39 S2), which was supported by all five Indiana commissioners. "There are at least three ETCs serving in the areas that AT&T requests to relinquish, AT&T will provide advance notice to affected customers, and the Lifeline customers served by AT&T will have the option to continue to be served by a different ETC offering the Lifeline discount, or by AT&T without the Lifeline discount,” the Indiana URC said. “If an affected Lifeline customer cannot find an alternative Lifeline provider due to poor wireless coverage in the customer’s area, AT&T will provide the customer a courtesy Lifeline credit.”
The California Senate passed a broadband bill that seeks to streamline permitting. But state legislators punted on a proposed TikTok ban. The Senate voted 40-0 Wednesday for AB-965, which would allow simultaneous processing of multiple broadband permit applications for similar project sites under a single permit and require local governments to decide applications within a reasonable time (see 2308170044). Local government groups had been the bill’s main foes but became neutral after some Senate amendments. The Assembly previously passed the bill but must vote again after Friday to concur with Senate changes. Also Wednesday, the Assembly ordered SB-74 to the inactive file at the request of Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D). It proposes prohibiting high-risk social media apps that, like TikTok, are at least partly owned by an entity or “country of concern.” A spokesperson for sponsor Sen. Bill Dodd (D) said the bill isn't dead. “It won’t be taken up before the end of this session but will be taken up next year.” The procedural maneuver “allows Sen. Dodd to continue working with stakeholders to refine it,” gives the senator more time to review the governor's AI executive order from this week (see 2309060037) and reduces how many bills legislators must deal with before session ends Sept. 14, the spokesperson said. Bryan didn’t comment. On Tuesday, state senators voted 35-0 to pass AB-414, which would create a digital equity bill of rights. The Assembly may take it up for concurrence as soon as Friday. Also Tuesday, the Senate voted 39-0 for AB-947, which would add immigration and citizenship status to the California Consumer Protection Act’s definition of sensitive personal information. It previously passed the Assembly and next needs a signature from Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
Ohio will provide free broadband job training through a partnership with Goodwill Columbus, Ohio State University and other organizations, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) said Thursday. Ohio needs about 32,000 skilled workers to prepare broadband infrastructure, said DeWine. “Providing this training now will ensure that broadband companies can access and spend the coming infrastructure investments to ultimately position Ohio as a prime destination for new, innovative companies seeking access to the next generation of wired and wireless communications.”
The Treasury Department approved about $158 million in Capital Projects Fund support Wednesday for Puerto Rico to build broadband infrastructure and multipurpose community facilities. The funding will support two efforts. It will fund the "resiliency and reliability of the island's high speed internet access" through a submarine cable resiliency program, said Capital Projects Fund Director Joseph Wender during a roundtable. The program will include building a new submarine fiber route to Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic and U.S. Virgin Islands to create three cable landing stations, Wender said. The new support will also fund a multipurpose community technology center program for public access to the internet and technology. "We're certainly headed in the right direction," said Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi (D): "These funds will make a huge difference in Puerto Rico since they will help us ensure that our island has the necessary broadband infrastructure and that all our citizens have the internet access, tech assistance, and training they need and deserve."