The New York Privacy Act passed the state Senate without the private right of action from the original S-365 (see 2304250063). The Senate voted 46-15 Thursday to send the measure to the Assembly. Also, the Senate voted 62-0 to send the Assembly S-6318, which would require the New York Public Service Commission to map mobile coverage and reliability across the state and then make a plan to ensure reliable coverage statewide (see 2305160033). The latest version of S-365 sets parameters for state attorney general action, which is how most other state privacy laws are enforced. Consumer Reports withdrew its support and is now officially “neutral” on the bill, policy analyst Matthew Schwartz emailed Friday. “Among numerous other changes, the amendments removed automated decisionmaking rights, weakened the definition of biometric information, carved out nonprofits, weakened risk assessments, and inserted a loyalty program carveout.” Microsoft supports the New York Privacy Act, a spokesperson said. "We will continue working with sponsors in both houses and stakeholders to pass comprehensive privacy legislation." CTIA opposed the mobile mapping bill in a letter Wednesday. SB-6318 “would unnecessarily duplicate efforts by the [FCC] to comprehensively map and regularly update mobile wireless coverage throughout the country,” said the wireless industry association: New York should instead seek to reduce local government barriers to wireless deployment. “If the bill contemplates directing the PSC to mandate wireless deployment in specific areas or regulate wireless rates, such measures would be preempted by federal law,” CTIA warned.
A Louisiana bill requiring social media companies to verify the age of users passed the legislature Wednesday. The Senate voted 25-0 to concur with House changes to SB-162, which would also require platforms to collect parental approval for minors to get accounts (see [Ref:2306060026). The bill will go to Gov. John Bel Edwards (D). The governor didn’t comment Thursday.
Don’t include communications in a state review of utilities’ low-income universal service programs, Verizon urged the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Wednesday. "Low-income discount programs for voice and internet are governed by federal law,” Verizon commented in docket M-2023-3038944. FCC rules cover eligibility, enrollment, recertification and other issues raised by the Pennsylvania PUC in a March 27 letter, said the carrier: While the state commission "has a role with certain aspects of these federal programs, it must work within and cannot alter or depart from the federal requirements."
The California Public Utilities Commission plans a June 21 virtual forum on the cost of capital requests for independent small telephone companies (docket A.22-09-003), the CPUC said Wednesday. CalTel and other small LECs filed a joint application Sept. 1 seeking approval to establish cost of capital for each company’s ratemaking purposes, the agency said. Cost of capital is the rate of return a company may recover on infrastructure investments. The CPUC seeks customer input at the forum, which starts at 5 p.m. PST.
New York state senators unanimously passed a fiber pole-attachments bill Tuesday. The Senate voted 62-0 for S-5126 by Senate Telecom Committee Chairman Kevin Parker and three other Democrats. The Assembly received the bill and referred it to the Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee. The bill would say a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) from the New York Public Service Commission isn’t required to attach fiber lines to utility poles. “Certain utility pole owners are requiring new broadband competitors to obtain a CPCN as a condition to attaching fiber lines to its utility poles,” said the bill’s justification statement. “This is an anti-competitive move aimed at slowing entry of new broadband providers into the market.”
West Virginia preliminarily approved about $18 million for broadband infrastructure projects, Gov. Jim Justice (R) said Wednesday. The state awarded money through its Line Extension Advancement and Development (LEAD), Major Broadband Project Strategies (MBPS) and Wireless Internet Networks (WIN) programs. The state investment is matched by about $19,000 from other sources, the governor’s office said. The state expects the awarded projects to connect about 8,250 locations covering more than 21,000 homes and businesses. Frontier Communications received nearly $13.4 million in MBPS awards for two projects. Prodigi got about $4.4 million to extend fiber through the LEAD program. U.S. Cellular won about $930,000 under the WIN program, which aims to extend wireless over state parks and forests.
A New Hampshire legislative subcommittee will work on privacy this summer, the House Judiciary Committee decided at a meeting livestreamed Tuesday. Chair Bob Lynn (R) said he wants to work on combining this year’s HB-314 and SB-255, which the committee retained this year (see 2305030040). One big difference is that SB-255 doesn’t include a private right of action, said Lynn, saying he doesn’t think the state should give individuals the ability to sue.
An Oregon bill to regulate data brokers passed the House in a 49-9 vote Wednesday. The Business and Labor Committee approved HB-2052 in February (see 2302060026). The Ways and Means Committee approved it last week. The bill will next go to the Senate.
A Maine bill meant to combat robocalls and preserve the state’s 207 area code passed the legislature. The Senate concurred with House changes Tuesday. As amended, the measure would require voice providers that acquire and place into service phone numbers to pay in the state’s USF and telecom education access fund and give the Maine Public Utilities Commission authority to investigate compliance. Also, LD-396 would require VoIP providers to register with the Maine PUC and respond to any information requests about distributing phone numbers. And it would require the commission to file a report to the legislature on compliance, PUC efforts to preserve 207 and what else may be needed to ensure efficient numbering use. The bill still needs gubernatorial OK.
Washington state’s Public Works Board is accepting applications for $13.5 million in broadband construction loans, the state Commerce Department said Tuesday. Pre-applications due July 18 will allow 30 days for objections, then final applications are due Oct. 4, the department said. The board plans to award funds in December.