A New York state Republican wondered if part of a proposed 95 cent surcharge in Albany County to fund E911 would be diverted to other purposes. The Assembly Local Governments Committee unanimously cleared A-9269 at a livestreamed Wednesday meeting, sending it to the Ways and Means Committee. Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan (R) asked if the proposed surcharge is “100% going to this project or is there any money split off from that 95 cents for other purposes?” Chairman Fred Thiele (D) answered, “these funds are dedicated to the E911 program.” New York diverted $100.7 million (41.7%) of its state 911 fee revenue to the general fund in 2020, showed the FCC’s most recent report on the subject (see 2201070049). The Senate could vote soon on its version (S-8246) after sending it to third reading Wednesday.

Congress might want to look at a shorter, two-year spectrum auction authorization for the FCC, rather than a 10-year reauthorization, as that would give lawmakers time to also set up a future spectrum pipeline for 5G beyond this year's 2.5 GHz auction, American Action Forum Director-Technology and Innovation Policy Jeffrey Westling blogged Tuesday. A shorter authorization also would make it easier for Congress to channel auction proceeds into such priorities as Next Generation 911 since the auctions would be considered new revenue for Congressional Budget Office scoring after the reauthorization expires, he said.

House Communications Subcommittee members voiced strong support during a Tuesday hearing for the Extending America’s Spectrum Auction Leadership Act (HR-7783) and two NTIA-focused spectrum bills, echoing expected backing from Wiley’s Anna Gomez and CommScope Business Development and Spectrum Policy Director Mark Gibson (see 2205230061). Lawmakers broadly supported elements of the Safe Connections Act (HR-7132), but opinions on the Ensuring Phone and Internet Access for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recipients Act (HR-4275) divided along party lines.

House Communications Subcommittee leaders appear set on advancing the recently filed Extending America’s Spectrum Auction Leadership Act (HR-7783) as their preference for renewing the FCC’s auction authority, before a planned Tuesday hearing (see 2205170081), but there’s more uncertainty about whether they will be willing to attach related measures before it heads to the floor. Senate Commerce Committee leaders are tentative about HR-7783’s proposal to extend the FCC’s auction authority for 18 months to March 31, 2024, and some policy stakeholders told us they outright oppose such a short extension. The FCC's current auction authority expires Sept. 30.

The House Commerce Committee unanimously advanced an amended version of the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act (HR-7666) that would allocate $10 million annually for fiscal years 2023-2027 to the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a national maternal mental health hotline to provide “voice and text support.” Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., used discussion on the measure to again highlight his view that Congress needs to solidify funding for the impending 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline rollout.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel isn’t proposing rules on improving how wireless 911 calls are routed to the appropriate first responders but instead is seeking a record refresh. A notice of inquiry casts a wide net on what the FCC should do to address offshore needs for spectrum. Also on tap is an NPRM on channel 6 TV stations, which primarily broadcast an audio signal receivable on FM radios. Drafts for all three were posted Wednesday, for votes at the June 8 commission meeting.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed a 911 bill Monday. SB-633 repeals a cap on county fees, creates special rights for 911 specialists and modifies the state 911 board’s membership and responsibilities (see 2203180022).

Two wireless items and a broadcast NPRM make up a short agenda for the June 8 commissioner meeting. A notice of inquiry looks at wireless needs of offshore operations, Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Tuesday in a note from the chairwoman. “From the construction of new windfarms to generate renewable energy to the expanded use of wireless communications by cruise ships, there are many signs of growing demand for spectrum to support offshore operations,” she said: The NOI looks at “how best to meet our offshore spectrum needs. Smarter offshore spectrum policies could help make sure we are using our scarce spectrum resources efficiently, while facilitating new environmental, business, recreational, and scientific endeavors.” A second wireless item looks at improving mobile calls to 911. “In 2018, the Commission launched an inquiry to explore why some wireless 911 calls are misrouted to the wrong call center," Rosenworcel said. “Over the past four years, enhancements in location-based routing of 911 calls have mitigated the problem of misrouted calls, but they haven’t eliminated it,” she said: “The Commission will vote to update the record in this proceeding and seek comment on improvements that would help to reduce misrouting of 911 calls and improve emergency response times.” The FCC will also take up an NPRM on channel 6 TV stations, which primarily broadcast an audio signal receivable on FM radios and are sometimes called “Franken FMs.” Due to the digital TV transition, such stations had to cease broadcasting their analog signal in 2021. The agency “will consider a proposal to allow the broadcasters to continue their existing FM6 radio service, provided they meet certain conditions, including interference protection and the provision of a synchronous TV service to consumers,” Rosenworcel said. Channel 6 broadcasters had proposed a solution wherein they offer digital video and audio signal using 3.0 while continuing to transmit their analog audio as an ancillary service, and the Media Bureau granted a station special temporary authority to use that setup in June (see 2106100067). NPR has been a vocal opponent of channel 6 stations continuing to broadcast. Rosenworcel said Tuesday the proceeding is about “preserving established local programming for radio audiences.”

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr proposed Monday that wireless carriers be required to participate in the wireless network resiliency cooperative framework rather than a voluntary program, and that roaming arrangements be required before disasters. Carr urged quick action, noting ongoing wildfires and the approach of the Atlantic hurricane season, on an APCO webinar and in a news release.

Preparing for and responding to disasters is “truly a partnership” among different levels of government and industry, said FCC Public Safety Bureau Chief Debra Jordan at an FCBA virtual event Wednesday. The FCC works hard “at building relationships at the state, the regional and the national level, so when there's a disaster we can ... partner and immediately begin jumping on the task [at] hand, and hopefully have a level of trust going into this." The commission plans to do outreach this summer on how states and others can access its disaster information reporting system (DIRS) and network outage reporting system (D) databases, said Jordan. The FCC adopted a framework last year to provide access to state, federal and tribal nations, with information sharing rules taking effect in September, she said. “We will have an application process that will grant agencies access to this information after certifying to requirements for maintaining the confidentiality of the data, as well as the security of the databases.” Jordan urged more collaboration on wireless emergency alert testing to address lingering issues with geofencing and delivery. The FCC used to respond mainly to hurricanes, but climate change is bringing more wildfires, tornadoes and severe winter storms, noted the bureau chief. Communications industry compliance is “high” but “not where we want it to be” with the California Public Utilities Commission’s 72-hour backup power requirements for wireline and wireless facilities, said CPUC Communications Division Director Robert Osborn. “It's not 100%.” The COVID-19 pandemic made it tougher for staff to visit sites to confirm backup power is present, but the agency is hoping to do more soon, he said. Distinguishing between traditional and IP-based networks on resiliency is a “thing of the past,” said Osborn. “We really just need to focus on the communication grid as a critical infrastructure.” Since the CPUC efforts, “we’ve seen a dramatic improvement in the resiliency of our networks,” said California Office of Emergency Services 911 Branch Manager Budge Currier. “They’re surviving a little bit better during disasters.”