The California Public Utilities Commission again delayed votes on an AT&T enforcement item and another proposal to make a foster youth program permanent. Both were scheduled for Thursday’s meeting, but staff postponed them until the April 18 meeting, said a CPUC hold list Tuesday. CPUC President Alice Reynolds previously asked to address the AT&T item at a Feb. 15 meeting (see 2402150067). It would deny the carrier’s corrective action plan explaining how it will correct failures and improve service after failing to meet the state’s out-of-service repair interval standard in 2021. In addition, the CPUC originally planned a Feb. 15 vote on the foster youth proposal but twice postponed it. Earlier this month, the agency received a dire warning from the foster youth pilot program’s administrator, iFoster (see 2403110042), which said the current draft would create a program “destined to fail.”

The Maine legislature approved a telecom bill Tuesday that would allow the Maine Public Utilities Commission to designate wireless companies as eligible telecom carriers for the federal Lifeline program. Like some states, Maine currently relies on the FCC to designate mobile phone providers as ETCs. The bill (LD-2193) needs Gov. Chris Sununu's (R) signature. Florida's legislature passed a similar bill earlier this month (see 2403050070).

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) signed 911 legislation, HB-1092, which would increase South Dakota’s 911 fee on monthly phone bills to $2, from $1.25, the governor’s office said Tuesday. The legislature passed the bill earlier this month (see 2403060026).

The telecom industry continued to raise concerns about a Minnesota broadband safety and workforce bill. SF-4742 would set aside a portion of federal broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program funding for companies that agree to workforce “best practices” including payment of prevailing wages and annual skills training. At a livestreamed Wednesday meeting, the Minnesota Senate Energy Committee amended the bill and voted 8-6 to advance it to the Agriculture Committee. The committee delayed voting on the bill Monday after multiple senators and the telecom industry raised concerns that it would slow high-speed internet expansion (see 2403180048). Sponsor Sen. Jennifer McEwan (D) said she had “productive” talks with stakeholders during the previous 48 hours, leading to a Wednesday amendment with “more inclusive language.” There still isn't “perfect agreement," said McEwan, but talks will continue. The amendment doesn’t resolve the Minnesota Cable Communications Association’s concerns, testified the association’s counsel, Anthony Mendoza. Then "this bill still has more work to do," responded Sen. Andrew Mathews (R), who voted no on clearing the legislation. Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen (R) also opposed the bill, saying the state should have a “level playing field” when seeking grants. The Wireless ISP Association opposed SF-4742 in a Wednesday letter to the committee. The bill’s proposed changes to state broadband law “will significantly impair WISPA members’ ability to compete for grant dollars, will delay important broadband expansion projects, and will put increased strain on an already challenging workforce availability landscape,” the association wrote.

A Pennsylvania privacy bill passed the House in a 139-62 vote Monday. Microsoft supports the comprehensive measure (HB-1201), which would be enforced solely by the state attorney general and includes a 60-day right to cure (see 2309060060). The bill will go to the Senate.

The Wyoming Public Service Commission granted applications for eligible telecom carrier (ETC) designation to Terracom, TruConnect, Infiniti Mobile and T-Mobile’s Assurance Wireless. All four companies sought ETC designation for the limited purpose of offering Lifeline services in Wyoming, according to last week's orders, which were released Monday.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) approved a bill aimed at removing restrictions on leasing dark fiber. Pillen signed LB-61 Monday. The new law allows public power utilities to lease dark fiber and work with ISPs providing high-speed internet to unserved and underserved areas.

A Minnesota Senate panel will pause 48 hours to resolve concerns about a broadband safety bill. At a livestreamed hearing Monday, the Energy Committee laid over SF-4742 by Sen. Jennifer McEwan (D) after multiple members expressed misgivings. The committee will resume considering the bill during its next meeting on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. CDT, said Chair Nick Frentz (D). "I hope this is a hint from the committee that these members here are expecting to see some progress, or it's probably not going to make it out of this committee." McEwan committed to working hard on the bill before the next meeting. SF-4742 would set aside a portion of federal broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program funding for companies that agree to workforce “best practices” including payment of prevailing wages and annual skills training. It wouldn’t prevent anyone from seeking BEAD funding, stressed McEwan. Pointing to safety problems they’ve seen with broadband construction, the Laborers’ International Union of North America and Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council supported the bill. But internet providers and telecom construction companies stressed their safety commitment and said the bill could hold back high-speed internet expansion. SF-4742 would put at risk Minnesota’s nearly $652 million BEAD allocation because it doesn’t comply with NTIA’s notice of funding availability or the Minnesota broadband office’s initial plan, said Minnesota Telecom Alliance CEO Brent Christensen.

Connecticut expects awarding roughly $41 million for broadband through the Treasury Department’s Capital Projects Fund, Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said Monday. Applications for the grant program are due April 30 at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Lamont’s office said.

The Maryland House approved a comprehensive privacy bill in a 105-32 vote Saturday. A House committee last month heard testimony on the bill (HB-567), including generally positive reviews from consumer privacy groups (see 2402140053). The Senate passed the similar SB-541 by a 46-0 vote on Thursday.