South Carolina will require age verification as a method of keeping kids younger than 18 off pornographic websites. Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed HB-3424 Tuesday after the legislature passed the bill May 9 (see 2405100014).

Louisiana could use unobligated broadband funds for “nonbroadband infrastructure project[s]" under a bill the state legislature passed this week. A telehealth project might qualify for funding, a broadband office official testified last month (see 2404240055). The Senate passed the bill (HB-617) in a 37-0 vote Tuesday. The House unanimously approved it April 11, but it still needs a signature from Gov. Jeff Landry (R). On Wednesday, the legislature sent Landry HB-308, which would require cable providers that terminate their franchise certificate to notify customers at least 30 days before service ends. It passed the legislature last week.

Nevada will spend $250 million on a middle-mile network, Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) said Tuesday. The planned network will be open-access and 2,500 miles long, the governor’s office said. “This significant investment will enhance internet connectivity in communities across Nevada that have struggled with inadequate internet access.”

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed two broadband bills, the Democrat’s office said Wednesday. Polis signed HB-1334 to prohibit owners of multiunit buildings from denying broadband providers access to install high-speed internet. Also, Polis signed HB-1336 to transfer authority for awarding high-cost support to the state broadband office from a broadband deployment board in the governor's IT office. Polis said his state is “moving closer to connecting 99% of Coloradans to affordable, high-speed broadband.”

Frontier Communications operates “nationally in a ‘one-size fits all’ manner with no regard for state regulations or rules," Communications Workers of America (CWA) claimed in Tuesday comments at the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). PURA received comments from Frontier and the Office of Consumer Counsel in its service-quality investigation (docket 24-01-15) on Friday (see 2405200053). CWA raised concerns about job cuts, customer service issues and employee grievances during the past several years. “While there is currently a significant effort to deploy fiber … there has been much negligence as it relates to copper plant,” the union said: “The use of contract labor has created inferior service issues resulting in the need for second and follow-up visits by skilled technicians” and fewer job openings. PURA should “act swiftly to hold Frontier accountable to … Connecticut.”

Idaho’s telecom relay services surcharge will increase 2 cents, to 7 cents per line, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission said Friday. The PUC kept the current long distance rate at one-tenth of a cent per minute. “This allows the per minute rate, which appears to be contributing to the fund in a sustainable manner, to remain unchanged while taking a measured step toward sustainability by increasing the per line rate to $0.07,” the Idaho PUC said.

Two California social media bills advanced through their originating chambers Monday. The Senate voted 35-2 to pass a bill (SB-976) by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D) that would provide social media controls for parents, including the ability to decide whether their children see a chronological news feed or one based on an algorithm, the current default. Also, the bill would let parents stop social media notifications and block access to platforms overnight and during the school day. Attorney General Rob Bonta (D), who had proposed the bill (see 2401300049), applauded Senate passage in a statement. “Our children and teens are experiencing a public health crisis, caused by social media companies in their thirst for profits,” said Bonta. “In California, we take mental health seriously, we take children’s online safety seriously -- and we know that we don’t have a minute to waste to protect our kids.” The Assembly voted 65-0 for AB-3172, which would make big social media platforms liable for damages and other legal remedies “if the platform fails to exercise ordinary care or skill toward a child.” It goes next to the Senate, while SB-976 goes to the Assembly.

New York state’s comprehensive privacy bill advanced Tuesday. At a livestreamed Senate Internet and Technology Committee meeting, a majority of the seven-member panel supported sending S-365 by Consumer Protection Committee Chair Kevin Thomas (D) to the Finance Committee. One member voted no and another voted “aye without recommendation.” The privacy bill passed the full Senate last year, but because the Assembly didn’t consider it in 2023, the bill returned to the Senate Jan. 3 (see 2402060028). The panel also advanced a bill (S-4377) requiring websites that collect Social Security numbers to post “clear and conspicuous notice on the homepage … about its privacy policy.” Nobody voted no on that bill, though one member supported it without recommendation. It will go to the floor.

Minnesota will prohibit junk fees through legislation that Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed Monday. The governor signed HB-3438, which passed the legislature last week (see 2405160033). CTIA had opposed the bill for not exempting the wireless industry. The law will require that the full price of a product, including all mandatory fees, is disclosed at the start of the transaction and in ads. “This bill is going to protect Minnesotans’ bottom line, provide clarity for consumers, and ensure companies aren’t using deceptive practices to rip their customers off,” said Walz. CTIA declined to comment.

An objector to Consolidated Communications’ deal with Condor Holdings withdrew from the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission’s review in docket DT 23-103. New Hampshire Electric Cooperative said Monday that it entered into a confidential settlement with Consolidated “that addresses NHEC’s concerns with neither party admitting any fault or wrongdoing.” The co-op earlier complained that Consolidated didn’t devote enough resources to its joint-use poles relationship with NHEC. Charter Communications last month sought conditions on Consolidated’s transfer of indirect ownership and control of its local subsidiaries to Condor, a subsidiary of private equity firm Searchlight (see 2404290007).