Florida residents' participation in Lifeline rose significantly from the end of June 2024 to the end of June 2025, the state's Public Service Commission said in a draft report released Tuesday. As of the end of June, there were 332,887 Lifeline subscribers in Florida, up 120,644 from a year earlier, the PSC said. The growth in subscribership was likely due to the number of wireless companies that were granted eligible telecommunications carrier designation, it said. A 2024 change by the Florida state legislature expanded the PSC's jurisdiction to grant ETC designation to wireless carriers for Lifeline purposes, and 13 wireless and wireline carriers were subsequently designated as such.
Steven Schwerbel, WISPA's director of state advocacy, discussed the options that data centers offer for “affordable middle-mile broadband connections” in testimony Wednesday before the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Science, Technology and AI. The panel held a hearing on “demystifying” AI and the impact of data centers in the state.
The Public Advocates Office at the California Public Utilities Commission is urging the agency to sign off on the Sept. 4 agreement between the PAO and Verizon in the company's proposed Frontier Communications acquisition. In a filing Friday, the PAO said the agreement "provides substantial public benefits in fiber and fixed wireless access infrastructure deployment [and] affordable broadband access," and its adoption as part of the Verizon/Frontier approval "will ensure that Californians enjoy these substantial public benefits." Verizon and Frontier also filed proposed agreements Sept. 4 that they struck with the Communications Workers of America (see 2509050008) and the California Emerging Technology Fund.
New York state Sen. Joseph Griffo (R) on Monday introduced SB-8562, which would mandate that the suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline play calming music and regular "comfort" messages for callers on hold. The bill was referred to the Senate Rules Committee. An Assembly version of the legislation, AB-5583, was introduced in February by Rep. Marianne Buttenschon (D).
D.C. Council Health Committee Chairwoman Christina Henderson (I) on Monday introduced the 988 Lifeline Support and Sustainability Establishment Amendment Act (B-26-0462), which would create a dedicated funding source for Washington's 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and its behavioral health crisis response system. Henderson said the proposed monthly fee on landline, wireless, prepaid and VoIP services would generate an estimated $12.5 million annually for Lifeline and Community Response Team activities.
North Carolina has launched a $50 million broadband recovery grant program to assist ISPs in rebuilding and repairing infrastructure destroyed by 2024's Hurricane Helene. "With these investments, western North Carolinians can stay connected and more easily get back on their feet -- whether seeking resources, applying for a job online, starting a business, or going to school," Gov. Josh Stein (D) said Monday. The governor's office said Stein signed legislation in August allocating funds to help restore internet access in western North Carolina communities that saw significant damage from the hurricane. The deadline for applications is Nov. 24.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) on Friday signed into law a statewide ban on mobile phone use in schools, though he also criticized the legislation.
The Illinois Department of Corrections said Friday that it's rolling out a pilot program to provide free phone calls to people incarcerated in correctional facilities. Starting Monday, people in custody will get 775 free minutes monthly for domestic calls, it said. The minutes don't roll over, and the pilot is set to run through June.
Michigan state Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D) introduced SB-630 on Thursday to extend the state's prevailing wage requirements to publicly funded broadband deployment projects. The legislation was referred to the Senate Labor Committee. The requirements wouldn't cover American Rescue Plan Act or Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act projects.
New Jersey state Sen. Joseph Cryan (D) on Monday introduced S-4739, which would criminalize a private citizen recording a telephone call or other conversation unless all parties consent. It was referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee. According to the bill, New Jersey currently requires consent of only one party in the conversation for recording.