A New York bill would help facilitate wireless broadband deployment and ease some requirements for providers at the local level. State Sen. Daniel Stec (R) prefiled the bill for the next session. The bill, SB-603, would exempt certain modifications of existing facilities from the need for municipal zoning or permitting.

Robocalls were the main consumer complaint in North Carolina in 2024, said Attorney General Josh Stein (D). Stein's office released a report Monday of complaints his office received (see 2412270024). "Not only are robocalls annoying, but they are also used to scam people out of their hard-earned money and personal information," the report said. After recent efforts at the state and federal level to combat unwanted robocalls, the office has seen "a general downward trend" in complaints.

A New York state bill would prevent junk fees for consumers by requiring "clear and conspicuous pricing practices" (see 2407310031). Five Democratic state senators prefiled the bill, SB-363, this week for the next legislative session. The measure would consider ISPs in compliance if they provide proof of compliance with the FCC's broadband consumer label rules.

The California Public Utilities Commission may approve about $26.2 million in additional federal funding for last-mile broadband infrastructure deployment (see 2107200056). A draft resolution scheduled for the commission's consideration during its Jan. 30 meeting would grant WiConduit and GigabitNow a combined $17 million to serve about 800 unserved locations. The commission will also consider a $3 million grant for AT&T to serve 973 unserved locations and grants totaling $6.2 million for Sierra Nevada Communications to serve 1,113 unserved locations.

A Missouri bill would allocate 40% of all the state's broadband funding to unserved areas and projects in urban locations. State Rep. Michael Johnson (D) prefiled the bill this week for the next legislative session. Under the bill, HB-677, unserved areas would get first priority on grant applications. Second priority would go to applicants in the same areas who can "demonstrate the ability to receive matching funds."

The California Public Utilities Commission last week approved $225 million in its 10th round of grants, totaling more than $1 billion, for last-mile broadband infrastructure projects. The last-mile federal funding account grant program expands broadband to underserved and unserved communities throughout the state. "These grants fund projects that vary from fiber to wireless network infrastructure," said CPUC Commissioner Darcie Houck: "In order to maximize our investments we have to use all the innovative technologies at our disposal." The latest round of funding will serve 163,000 residents across 14 counties.

The California Public Utilities Commission should "take official notice" of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' opinion in the ISP coalition's challenge of New York's Affordable Broadband Act, California's Public Advocates Office said in a motion filed Friday in docket R2406012. The U.S. Supreme Court last week denied the ISPs' petition to review the appellate court ruling in favor of the law (see 2412160039). The office said the opinion is "directly relevant" to the CPUC's proceeding on its carrier of last resort rules, which the PUC is considering lifting (see 2412100065).

A New York bill would require schools to restrict students' use of wireless devices and access to social media platforms while on school property. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D) prefiled the bill this week for the next legislative session. The bill, SB-140, would require that schools employ "progressive consequences" if a student violates the rules. A similar bill was prefiled in Missouri (see 2412090043).

The New Jersey Senate passed an Assembly bill Thursday requiring broadband and cable providers to let consumers pause or cancel service contracts if they are admitted to a long-term care facility (see 2410240024). The bill becomes law after 45 days or when Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signs it.

New York awarded about $13.1 million in the state's affordable housing connectivity program funding Thursday. Backed by the U.S. Treasury Department's Capital Projects Fund, the new funding will connect 780 buildings to gigabit-speed service at $30 per month and broadband service at $10 per month. About $4.5 million will help connect properties in portions of New York City. Roughly $3.9 million will be used to connect the Rochester metro area. An estimated $4.7 million will connect the Buffalo metro area.