The California Public Utilities Commission discussed how the FCC can work with states as it establishes its data collection on broadband mapping, in meetings with aides to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, and Wireline Bureau staff on Feb. 13, said filings posted Tuesday in docket 19-195. CPUC supports an FCC proposal to use broadband data from states, localities and tribal governments to help validate ISP-provided broadband data. The state agency recommended its federal counterpart require that broadband serviceable location fabric information, "including its underlying location and parcel data, should be open, public, and non-proprietary." Industry wants to keep some data proprietary, citing competitive reasons (see 1909240005). The CPUC asked the FCC to include agricultural areas in its broadband serviceable location fabric framework, to support precision agriculture.

Comments are due March 13, replies March 28 on a Wireless Bureau plan to improve FCC forms 620 and 621 to notify state and tribal historic preservation and other tribal officials about wireless infrastructure projects, said a public notice Wednesday for docket 20-39. Form 620 is used for proposed new towers, and form 621 to notify on proposed collocations on existing structures.

Up against deadline to vote legislation out of committee, Washington state’s House Innovation, Technology and Economic Development Committee cleared a comprehensive privacy bill. It's based on a Senate bill that’s supported by Microsoft and opposed by consumer privacy advocates. The committee wrestled with nearly 30 amendments at Friday’s meeting, adopting some changes to tweak various definitions and rejecting sweeping proposals to add a private right of action and remove a section on private use of facial recognition technology.

Up against deadline to vote legislation out of committee, Washington state’s House Innovation, Technology and Economic Development Committee cleared a comprehensive privacy bill. It's based on a Senate bill that’s supported by Microsoft and opposed by consumer privacy advocates. The committee wrestled with nearly 30 amendments at Friday’s meeting, adopting some changes to tweak various definitions and rejecting sweeping proposals to add a private right of action and remove a section on private use of facial recognition technology.

The FCC’s priority application window for tribes to apply for free licenses in the 2.5 GHz band opened Monday. It closes Aug. 3. Tribal interests raised concerns about rules for the band (see 2001230037), which was the subject of a workshop last month at the FCC (see 2001140059). “My travels throughout Indian Country have shown me that bringing high-speed connectivity to rural Tribal lands can be a game-changer,” Chairman Ajit Pai said Monday.

The New Jersey Broadcasters Association has claimed for years that the state’s emergency alerting system is out of date and on the brink of failure. Now, things may come to a head, some warned. Microsoft ends support in January for the Windows 7 software that the state’s EMnet software runs on means the problem has worsened, said NJBA President Paul Rotella.

Foster participation rather than create new obstacles to adoption for the USF Lifeline program that subsidizes low-income telecom users, industry, public interest and consumer groups pressed the FCC in comments posted through Tuesday in docket 17-287. The FCC is considering sweeping changes in attempts to curb waste, fraud and abuse, but stakeholders fear the agency is overstepping (see 1911210035).

The FCC Wireless Bureau sought comment on a petition by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for waiver of entity eligibility rules to apply for 2.5 GHz licenses during the upcoming tribal window (see 2001150072). Comments are due Feb. 10, replies Feb. 20 in docket 20-21. The Bureau of Indian Affairs maintains a list of federally recognized tribal entities, which doesn’t list any in Hawaii, the bureau said Friday.

House Democrats’ upcoming infrastructure bill package is expected to use composite broadband legislative language drawn from existing measures, communications lobbyists told us last week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California announced earlier this month Democrats would unveil the legislative package this week (see 2001160063). Lawmakers and industry observers question the extent to which Congress will be able to make substantial headway on infrastructure legislation this year given expectations of gridlock before the November presidential election.

House Democrats’ upcoming infrastructure bill package is expected to use composite broadband legislative language drawn from existing measures, communications lobbyists told us last week. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California announced earlier this month Democrats would unveil the legislative package this week (see 2001160063). Lawmakers and industry observers question the extent to which Congress will be able to make substantial headway on infrastructure legislation this year given expectations of gridlock before the November presidential election.