The Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a final rule, effective September 24, 2007, revising and updating its regulations in 50 CFR Parts 10, 13, 17, and 23 that implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). According to a FWS news release, the final rule represents the first major update and compilation of regulations implementing CITES since 1977.
The FCC is giving wireless and wireline carriers a break on installing backup power at critical facilities, but not as big as industry wanted. An FCC order, released Thursday, warns carriers not to enter agreements just to avoid having to install backup power (CD Oct 2 p1). The FCC adopted the requirement in its followup to Hurricane Katrina. Six groups had filed petitions for reconsideration challenging the backup power mandate.
Markup will proceed on a bill reauthorizing the five- year farm bill sometime before the Oct. 8 Columbus Day recess, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Thomas Harkin, D-Iowa, said Tuesday. The multi-title bill would set up a national center focusing on rural telecommunications to assess service and recommend strategies for extending services to rural areas, according to a discussion draft circulating in the Senate. Senate staffers are still working on the measure and changes are likely, a committee aide said.
Markup will proceed on a bill reauthorizing the five- year farm bill sometime before the Oct. 8 Columbus Day recess, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Thomas Harkin, D-Iowa, said Tuesday. The multi-title bill would set up a national center focusing on rural telecommunications to assess service and recommend strategies for extending services to rural areas, according to a discussion draft circulating in the Senate. Senate staffers are still working on the measure and changes are likely, a committee aide said.
The Department of Homeland Security should set up a secure, clear two-way satellite communications system for law enforcement use to use fighting illegal immigration, according to a provision of a border security bill (S-1984) introduced just before Congress left for its August recess. The system would be for the department itself, as well as its border patrol personnel, the State Department, and state, local and tribal agencies. DHS should “explore all of the options,” a spokesman for Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., told us. The little-noticed provision appeared in an immigration bill that failed in July. “The debate we had a few weeks ago on immigration should not deter Congress from doing what is still needed to secure our borders and reduce illegal immigration,” Kyl said. The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
On August 3, 2007, President Bush signed into law the conference version of H.R. 1, the "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007" (Public Law 110-53).
The FCC can assure affordable phone service to areas near Indian lands by getting out of the way of state programs, the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association said. The FCC asked for comments on how to target support to areas near, but not on, tribal reservations. “The Commission can best provide this support by continuing its stay of federal involvement and by allowing states to exercise their jurisdiction over consumers who qualify for Lifeline and Link-Up support and who reside off-reservation,” NTCA said.
The FCC recently approved a rulemaking notice on several DTV education efforts, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told the House Telecom Subcommittee on Tuesday. The proposal incorporated ideas that Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich., and Subcommittee Chairman Ed Markey, D- Mass., had suggested, Martin said. It sets out how broadcasters, multichannel video programming distributors, retailers and manufacturers must publicize the digital transition.
Enforcement work continues on the FCC’s analog-only labeling order, and the Commission is about to crack down on retailers that haven’t corrected violations, Chairman Kevin Martin told a House Telecom Subcommittee oversight hearing Tuesday.
Broadband loan programs for rural communities would be refocused to serve areas less populous than they now cover, according to draft legislation reauthorizing the five-year farm bill. Many House Agriculture Committee members praised the bipartisan draft bill as debate began Tuesday on the massive measure covering renewal of dozens of food programs. The broadband provisions are new; they have bipartisan support, it appears from members’ opening statements.