US Senate
Sens Rosen, Capito Reintroduce Bipartisan Broadband Parity Act to Improve Nation’s Broadband Services
Sens Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) re-introduced the Broadband Parity Act (S. 1884), bipartisan legislation directing the Federal Communications Commission to coordinate with Federal agencies to establish a baseline level of service internet providers must provide customers when offering service via a federal broadband support program in order to increase access to uniform and reliable internet service.
Sen Thune Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Advance Rural Broadband Services
Sens John Thune (R-SD), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) cosponsored the Rural Connectivity Advancement Program (RCAP) Act of 2021, legislation that would dedicate a portion of proceeds from congressionally mandated spectrum auctions to be used for the buildout of broadband networks, which would help strengthen connectivity in rural communities throughout the country. The bill would:
Senators Introduce Legislation to Modernize State and Local Technology Systems (US Senate)
Submitted by benton on Thu, 05/20/2021 - 15:50Sens Hassan, Capito Introduce Rural Broadband Financing Flexibility Act to Spur Investment in Rural Broadband
Sens Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to help states, cities, and towns spur investment in rural broadband projects. The bipartisan Rural Broadband Financing Flexibility Act would allow state and local governments to issue tax-exempt bonds to finance rural broadband projects, including public private partnerships, as well as allow the federal government to assist state and local governments in bond payments. In addition, it would create a federal tax credit that states and localities could direct toward rural broadband projects.
Sens Markey and Cassidy introduce the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (US Senate)
Submitted by benton on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 11:55Republican Senators Introduce the Improving Spectrum Coordination Act (US Senate)
Submitted by benton on Fri, 04/30/2021 - 15:09Sen. Moran Introduces Bill Creating Clear Federal Standard for Consumer Data Privacy (US Senate)
Submitted by benton on Fri, 04/30/2021 - 12:22Sens Thune and Wicker Request GAO Review of FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
Sens John Thune (R-SD) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to request that it conduct an independent review of the Federal Communication Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program to ensure its success. The letter also requested that there be a comprehensive review of the program to determine its effectiveness and efficiency. They asked GAO examine the following issues and questions:
Waste, Fraud, and Abuse: When establishing the EBB program, what measures did the FCC take to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse?
Senators Markey and Wyden Introduce GREEN Communications Act to Promote Network Resiliency and Energy Efficiency in Communications Networks
Sens Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced the Generating Resilient and Energy Efficient Network (GREEN) Communications Act, legislation that will harden our communications networks against climate change and natural disasters, while simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint of communications infrastructure. Scientists have projected that sea-level rise will submerge more than 4,000 miles of fiber optic cables within the next 15 years.