The California Public Utilities Commission scheduled a prehearing conference Jan. 24 in its proceeding to possibly increase VoIP regulation, said CPUC Administrative Law Judge Camille Watts-Zagha in a Monday ruling emailed to the service list for docket R.22-08-008. It will be done by telephone conference at 10 a.m. PST. Industry urged the CPUC in October to weigh legal and jurisdictional issues before considering rules (see 2211010010).

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) plans to vote Feb. 8 on a draft decision about broadband conduit excavation procedures, PURA said Tuesday. The agency seeks written exceptions by Jan. 24, it said. The proposal in docket 21-12-21 would establish an application and approval process for conduit excavations in highways, streets or other public rights of way by telecom and broadband providers. That would include “establishing a notification process to minimize excavation at the same location in the future,” which will help providers “identify potential demand and conduct excavation and install conduit to minimize future disruptions and encourage the deployment of broadband throughout the state,” said the draft. Proposed application requirements would set up a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory process, it said. PURA would set a five-year moratorium on underground excavations on certain Connecticut Department of Transportation construction and maintenance projects “to ensure the viability of new construction.”

The Nebraska Public Service Commission voted 4-0 at a virtual meeting Tuesday to set a 2023 schedule and release application materials for Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) support under the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program (NBBP). The PSC opened docket CPF-1 to administer $80 million in grants last month (see 2212130067). The Nebraska commission “finds that the application materials and program guide previously developed for the NBBP should be utilized to the maximum extent in the CPF grant cycles,” said Tuesday’s order. “However, because the CPF grant program contains additional goals and objectives which must be met in accordance with federal funding guidelines, certain adjustments to the application requirements and program guidance have been made.” Also, the PSC tweaked the application template and program guide due to issues seen in the last NBBP cycle, it said. The PSC will accept applications from Feb. 9-24. The PSC in the next week should schedule a workshop, due to the application materials’ complexity, suggested Commissioner Tim Schram (R) at the meeting. Chair Dan Watermeier (R) said in a news release that already having the NBBP helped the PSC "move quickly in setting up the CPF grant application process” and "prior NBBP applicants should find the CPF application process similar." The PSC is down one member because Commissioner Crystal Rhoades (D) won an election in November to become Douglas County clerk of the District Court. Gov. Jim Pillen (R) must appoint someone to fill the remainder of Rhoades’ term, which ends Jan. 7, 2027.

Alaska’s utility regulator is seeking comment on an industry pact on intrastate access charges (docket U-23-001), said a Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) notice Monday. The Alaska Exchange Carrier Association, AT&T and GCI filed a petition Wednesday asking the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to accept their stipulation on intrastate access charge rates for July 1 through June 30, 2024, and July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The parties requested a multiyear waiver of several requirements in the Alaska Intrastate Interexchange Access Charge Manual, the RCA said. They asked to delay the starting date for 2023 fiscal year access charge proceedings until Jan. 3, 2025, so they may renew the agreement for the period starting July 1, 2025, the agency said. Comments are due Feb. 3.

States should develop online literacy training for children, the Computer and Communications Industry Association said Tuesday. CCIA applauded a New Jersey bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Phil Murphy (D), and North Carolina’s 2022 online safety initiative by Attorney General Josh Stein (D). More states could pass legislation like New Jersey's to require online literacy training, said CCIA, highlighting bills filed in Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New York and Texas. “Companies are continually updating their trust and safety protocols, and having their efforts backstopped by users who are able to recognize scams or misinformation improves safety,” said CCIA State Policy Director Khara Boender. “CCIA lauds state efforts to develop online literacy programs like these to help achieve the shared goal of protecting internet users.”

Nebraska’s new governor opened a state broadband office by executive order Friday. The office will “create a more transparent, flexible, and proactive response for Nebraska's broadband needs," said Gov. Jim Pillen (R). Housed within the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), the office will direct broadband policy, collaborate with other agencies and stakeholders, engage communities, create and maintain a Nebraska location fabric for broadband access and strategize how to use federal funding, the governor’s office said. The Nebraska State Budget Division’s Broadband and Infrastructure Coordinator Patrick Redmond will lead the office on an interim basis while NDOT and the governor’s office seek applications for director, which will be part of the governor’s cabinet, Pillen’s office said. State broadband offices are facing increasing challenges in hiring and retaining staff, particularly directors, found our Monday report (see 2212230006).

A Nebraska bill would give local authorities fresh responsibilities under the state’s small-cells law. Sen. John Cavanaugh (D) introduced LB-134 Friday. Authorities “shall provide reasonable notification to adjacent property owners or residents” before installing small-cell facilities, the bill says. Before installing any new or modified utility pole in the right of way, authorities would have to ensure compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, the authority would have to ensure the pole “doesn’t obstruct or hinder usual traffic or public safety” in the ROW or “obstruct the legal use of such right-of-way by any utility or impede the safe operation of such utility's system or provision of its service.”

A West Virginia Public Service Commission recommended decision clearing Guardian’s acquisition of Intrado will become final Tuesday absent further PSC action, the commission ordered Thursday in docket 22-0900-T-PC. The PSC granted Wednesday’s Intrado motion to waive a 15-day period for parties to file exceptions to the previous day’s recommended decision. “It is reasonable to consent to the proposed transaction because the terms of the transaction are reasonable, do not adversely affect the public and no party is given an undue advantage,” the recommendation said.

Nebraska legislators may consider allowing municipal broadband. Sen. Justin Wayne (D) introduced a bill (LB-26) Thursday that would allow municipal broadband on a retail or wholesale basis within its own jurisdiction if located in an underserved or unserved area. “A municipality may initiate the process of developing a broadband network by conducting a feasibility study and ordering the preparation of a resolution of intent to develop such broadband network … by a vote of the majority of the members of the governing body of the municipality,” it said. Under a separate state bill (LB-63) introduced Thursday by Sen. Eliot Bostar (D), Nebraska would withhold state USF support from any telecom company using equipment or services deemed to pose a national security threat. The proposed law would rely on a list published by the FCC Public Safety Bureau. Another Nebraska bill introduced Thursday would authorize licensing of dark fiber by any state agency or political subdivision. LB-61 by Sen. Tom Brandt (R) would also eliminate Nebraska Public Service Commission jurisdiction over certain violations and appeals.

Mississippi’s broadband office is “extremely busy” putting a challenge together in time for the Jan. 13 deadline to correct the FCC’s national broadband map, said Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi Director Sally Doty on a Broadband.Money webinar Friday. Another month would help, said Doty, saying the winter holidays made the current compressed time frame even more difficult and noting Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., wrote a letter seeking more time. NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson said last month that NTIA was evaluating states’ concerns with the map challenge deadline (see 2212200060).