Today’s Regulatory Mix:  FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for June Open Meeting, New Law in Oklahoma Provides Tax Exemption for Broadband Equipment

 

FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for June Open Meeting:  

  • Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain through the Equipment Authorization and Competitive Bidding Programs – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Inquiry seeking comments on steps it could take to secure the nation’s critical communications networks through its equipment authorization and competitive bidding programs.  (ET Docket No. 21-232; EA Docket No. 21-233) 
  • Allowing Earlier Equipment Marketing and Importation Opportunities – The Commission will consider a Report and Order that would adopt changes to the equipment authorization rules to allow expanded marketing and importation of radiofrequency devices prior to certification, with conditions.  (ET Docket No. 20-382) 
  • Improving the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts – The Commission will consider a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement section 9201 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, which is intended to improve the way the public receives emergency alerts on their mobile phones, televisions, and radios.  (PS Docket Nos. 15-94, 15-91) 
  • Improving Robocall and Spoofing Input from Private Entities – The Commission will consider a Report and Order to implement Section 10(a) of the TRACED Act by adopting a streamlined process that will allow private entities to alert the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau about suspected unlawful robocalls and spoofed caller ID.  (EB Docket No. 20-374) 
  • Promoting Telehealth for Low-Income Consumers – The Commission will consider a Second Report and Order that would provide guidance on the administration of the Connected Care Pilot Program and further instructions to program participants.  (WC Docket No. 18-213) 
  •  Exploring Spectrum Options for Devices Used to Mark Fishing Equipment – The Commission will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would satisfy the Commission’s statutory obligation in Section 8416 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to explore whether to authorize devices that can be used to mark fishing equipment for use on Automatic Identification System (AIS) channels consistent with the core purpose of the AIS to prevent maritime accidents.  (WT Docket No. 21-230) 
  • Improving Low Power FM Radio – The Commission will consider an Order on Reconsideration of a proceeding to modernize the LPFM technical rules.  (MB Docket No. 19-193) 
  • Enforcement Bureau Action – The Commission will consider an enforcement action. 

New Law in Oklahoma Provides Tax Exemption for Broadband Equipment

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has signed into law a bill that exempts certain broadband equipment from sales tax.  The sales tax exemption will be in the form of a rebate for the sale, lease, storage, or use of broadband equipment by Internet service providers. Effective July 1, HB 2946 provides that “no claim for a rebate shall be approved unless the equipment was purchased in order to establish or expand broadband services in underserved or unserved areas.”  Further, claimants must be able to demonstrate a net growth in the number of customers served in underserved or unserved areas because of the equipment purchase. To qualify for rebate payments in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, the equipment must be purchased and placed in service between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023.  Claims for rebates on sales or use tax paid on equipment purchased in calendar year 2022 must be filed by September 1, 2023. Claims for tax paid on equipment purchased in 2023 must be filed by September 1, 2024.

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.