House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., is on the cusp of refiling his Next Generation Television Marketplace Act, expected to help shape Capitol Hill’s upcoming debate on Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act reauthorization, lawmakers and lobbyists said in interviews. The recertification process is unlikely to start in earnest until the 116th Congress convenes in 2019, but media industries affected by STELA in recent months began discussing factors that could shape debate (see 1804030061). The 2014 STELA recertification extended the statute through 2019 (see 1411200036 and 1412040067).
Congressional Black Caucus members Reps. G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C., and Barbara Lee, D-Calif., emphasized during a Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council event they intend to continue pressuring companies at all levels in the tech sector to increase hiring of racial minorities. Butterfield launched the CBC's Tech 2020 initiative more than three years ago to improve diversity in the industry, including setting clear, public goals to measurably increase the number of African-Americans at all levels within tech companies (see 1505200007). Others from Capitol Hill and state legislatures also emphasized the importance of increasing diversity in tech, highlighting interest in Hill work on net neutrality and privacy. MMTC also heard about FCC issues (see 1807190055).
Commenters urged NTIA to improve the quality of broadband data collection in mapping efforts with the FCC. Many state and local interests and others said data must be more accurate, with many seeking increased granularity. Wireless groups stressed the importance of including mobile broadband. NTIA posted more than 50 comments Thursday that responded to its request for input after Congress gave the agency $7.5 million to help the FCC update its broadband map, currently focused on fixed service and based on Form 477 data. Others previously sent us comments suggesting improvements while noting data limitations and cost concerns (see 1807170052 and 1807180049).
Though Fox had raised concerns about the regulatory heavy lifting that a deal for its nonbroadcast assets with Comcast might represent (see 1806260038), antitrust issues and the DOJ's AT&T/Time Warner appeal likely didn't play a notable role in Comcast taking itself out of the Fox running, some experts told us. But others see the AT&T/TW appeal raising notable regulatory concerns for the MVPD. Comcast didn't comment.
Massachusetts state senators passed a net neutrality and ISP privacy bill with bipartisan support. Lawmakers voted 37-0 Thursday for a slimmed-down proposal (SB-2610) that would establish an ISP registry with ratings and a seal for ISPs that meet or exceed privacy and net neutrality standards. It also would require state agencies to prefer internet services from ISPs that meet or exceed those standards. Industry opposed the proposal, which still needs House and gubernatorial OK. The FCC declined comment.
Pirate radio operators should watch out because the FCC will stop you, Commissioner Mike O’Rielly told a Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council conference Thursday. Commissioner Brendan Carr also spoke at the conference on a panel with O'Reilly, taking questions from former Chairman Richard Wiley of Wiley Rein.
FTC Consumer Protection Bureau Director Andrew Smith worked with 54 clients that could trigger his recusal, including Equifax, PayPal and Uber, according to agency records we obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The clients paid Smith $5,000 or more in a given year dating back two years from his May 21 appointment. By signing President Donald Trump’s ethics pledge, Smith for two years after his appointment can't participate “in any particular matter involving specific parties that is directly and substantially related to [a] former employer or former clients, including regulations and contracts.”
FCC designation for hearing of Sinclair’s proposed buy of Tribune will almost certainly kill that deal by early August and could threaten other Sinclair licenses even if the deal goes away, said industry officials in interviews. Though Sinclair withdrew the divestitures in Dallas, Houston and Chicago (see 1807180060) targeted by the hearing designation order, "material questions remain,” said the HDO, released Thursday as expected (see 1807180066). The case “includes a potential element of misrepresentation or lack of candor that may suggest granting other, related applications by the same party would not be in the public interest,” it said.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said a telehealth inquiry's facilities-based focus is aimed at advancing broadband access through a pilot program, but is open to discussion. At a Wiley Rein event Wednesday, Carr outlined his views on a draft notice of inquiry to provide up to $100 million for "connected care" pilot projects slated for a vote Aug. 2, and agency efforts to make wireless regulation "5G ready" and modernize media regulation.
The U.S. needs data security legislation, which could strengthen FTC civil penalty authority and deter repeat offenders, Chairman Joe Simons and Commissioner Rohit Chopra told the House Digital Commerce Subcommittee Wednesday (see 1807160051). During the new commission’s first official appearance on Capitol Hill, House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., said that despite Uber’s infractions in two data breaches, the FTC couldn't levy civil penalties (see 1804120056).