Vermont state legislators could need to step in should the affordable connectivity program (ACP) end soon, the Vermont Community Broadband Board said last week. Losing the ACP would “remove the floor for low-income Vermonters, the most vulnerable of our residents, and require considerable alternative funding to achieve digital equity,” the board’s Executive Director Christine Hallquist said in a Thursday letter to Vermont legislators. The ACP helps 25,000 Vermont residents afford internet, the letter said. “When this program ends, many if not all these families may no longer be able to afford their internet service.” Hallquist noted the board supports a bill in Congress from Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., extending funding through the rest of the year (see 2401100056). But Congress hasn’t approved funding and ISPs are sending customers letters about the program’s possible end, Hallquist said. “We are nearing the time when State action may be required to ensure Vermonters do not suffer from the inaction of Congress. Whether this action requires a temporary, or a more permanent fix, remains to be seen.”

A Missouri bill clarifying that streaming content is exempted from paying video franchise fees cleared the House Utilities Committee on a 13-1 vote last week. The House could vote next on HB-2057. The South Carolina legislature approved a similar bill last week (see 2401250025).

West Virginia will suspend its telecom relay service (TRS) fee on customer bills, effective May 1, the Public Service Commission decided Wednesday. “The fund is generating adequate revenue to pay the monthly charges incurred by TRS users,” the PSC order said. “It is unlikely the fund will be exhausted in the foreseeable future.” PSC staff said last week that West Virginia could fund relay services for 20 years even if it reduced the TRS fee to zero (see 2401190013).

Florida House members unanimously approved a bill requiring age verification for pornography websites. Lawmakers voted 119-0 Wednesday to send HB-3 to the Senate. House members supported the bill in committee hearings (see 2401170061 and 2401110044). Earlier Wednesday, Florida's House passed a bill (HB-1) restricting children younger than 16 from using social media regardless of parental consent (see 2401240079). The Computer & Communications Industry Association condemned HB-1 after the vote. “Legislation like this violates federal law and positions the government to block access to legal information online -- a Constitutional right even younger users do have,” said CCIA State Policy Director Khara Boender.

The South Carolina House passed a bill clarifying that satellite TV and streaming video fall outside cable franchise fees. Lawmakers in the lower chamber voted 115-0 Wednesday to concur with Senate amendments to H-3782. The Senate approved it last week (see 2401190021). The bill next needs a signature from Gov. Henry McMaster (R).

Wisconsin's lower chamber supported prohibiting caller ID spoofing Thursday. On a voice vote, the Assembly concurred with the Senate-passed SB-531, while tabling the similar AB-559. The Senate bill still requires approval from Gov. Tony Evers (D). It would bar knowing transmission of misleading or inaccurate caller ID information through a call or text with intention to defraud or steal anything of value. Also, the bill would bar phone solicitors from blocking caller ID transmission. It would allow solicitors to transmit the name and phone number of the seller they represent, as well as authorized law enforcement activities. Violators could pay $100 to $10,000 penalties.

Indiana lawmakers may address social media legislation next year, Senate Commerce Committee members said at a livestreamed hearing Thursday. The panel heard testimony but didn’t vote on SB-201, which would require that social media companies verify a user's age and obtain parental consent before a minor can open accounts. Also, the bill would require smartphone makers to activate content filters by default for minors. Sponsor Sen. Spencer Deery (R) hopes to continue the conversation and “find something that we can come back next year with … that will enter Indiana into this space,” he said as the hearing wrapped. Likewise, Committee Chair Brian Buchanan (R) said “this is something I want to continue discussion on and possibly bring back next year.” Buchanan seeks a balance between keeping kids safe and maintaining parental rights, he said. Content filter mandates and social media restrictions for minors are unconstitutional, Edward Longe, director-technology and innovation for free-market think tank James Madison Institute, argued. "Content filters represent a one-size-fits-all government solution to a problem that has already been resolved by the market,” he said. “There is no age restriction to the First Amendment.” Rather than restrict minors, it’s better to require online media literacy training, as in a 2023 Florida law, he told the committee. Longe didn’t mention that Florida House members Wednesday passed a bill restricting children younger than 16 from using social media regardless of parental consent (see 2401240079). Deery doesn’t want Indiana to ban kids from social media but rather give parents power to consent, said the Republican: Literacy training alone won’t cut it. The Computer & Communications Industry Association opposed SB-201 in written testimony. “While CCIA strongly supports the overall goal of keeping children safe online, requiring a state-specific default filter is technologically infeasible and would create unobtainable expectations with regard to content that filters can reasonably block.”

The Florida House supported removing kids younger than 16 from social media platforms in a 106-13 bipartisan vote Wednesday. Lawmakers approved HB-1 one day after rejecting an amendment that would have allowed parents to choose whether their children may use social media (see 2401230078). The bill now goes to the Senate. If the upper chamber approves it and Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signs it, social media companies would need to terminate kids’ accounts July 1. "These companies know what they are doing is wrong,” said sponsor Rep. Tyler Sirois (R). “They have not acted … In Florida, we will.” The state government must step in to protect children from online threats, bullying and crime, agreed co-sponsor Rep. Fiona McFarland (R): Companies won’t self-police and the federal government isn’t acting. Most of the House’s 36 Democrats voted for HB-1, though several raised concerns in floor debate. Judiciary Committee ranking member Michael Gottlieb (D) doesn't oppose regulating social media but dislikes HB-1’s “very broad brush,” he said. "What we're saying is essentially that kids don't have the right to assemble," which the First Amendment protects. "When we take that from somebody" it must be through the "least restrictive means,” said Gottlieb. Rep. Daryl Campbell (D) said the bill’s intent “sounds good,” but it’s “complete governmental overreach” to tell parents they’re not fit to make the best decision for their children. Saying the bill is unconstitutional, Rep. Ashley Gantt (D) asked when Florida will stop telling parents that lawmakers know better. But Democrat Rep. Michele Rayner asked how lawmakers can tell parents that the First Amendment is more important than their child’s life. Rep. Kevin Chambless (D) said that "for every success story" on social media, there is "a negative story of exploitation." Rep. Katherine Waldron (D) said that while HB-1 “may not be popular among those 16 or under -- or perhaps among some parents -- the positives will far outweigh the negatives.”

South Dakota could increase a 911 fee on monthly phone bllls to $2, from $1.25. The House Taxation Committee voted 9-4 for HB-1092 on Tuesday. The bill would clarify that revenue from the fee “must” be used for 911.

South Carolina’s House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday advanced a pair of age-verification bills to the floor (see 2401180027). Both bills passed the committee unanimously with a handful of members not voting. H-4700, which would require parental consent for minors younger than 18 to access social media, passed 21-0-4. H-3424, meant to keep kids off pornographic websites, passed 20-0-5.