Technology (Broadband Access)

The Securing Local Communities Input in Broadband Development Act aims to nullify two specific actions taken by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding broadband infrastructure deployment. The bill declares that the FCC's 2018 ruling titled "Accelerating Wireless and Wireline Broadband Deployment by Removing Barriers to Infrastructure Investment" and its related "Third Report and Order and Declaratory Ruling" will no longer have legal force. This change directly affects the FCC's ability to streamline broadband development by limiting local regulatory authority, effectively restoring or preserving the regulatory rights of state and local governments over broadband infrastructure projects.

The Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act (HR 791) creates a new legal process for copyright holders to seek court orders blocking U.S. service providers from allowing access to foreign websites primarily designed for copyright infringement. Copyright owners must prove the foreign website is primarily for infringement, attempt to notify the website operator, and identify service providers that host the site before a court can issue a blocking order. Service providers must implement reasonable measures to block access within 15-20 days (or 7 days for live events) but aren't required to use specific technical methods. The bill includes protections for service providers who comply with orders and requires courts to publish order details publicly. It applies specifically to foreign websites operating outside the U.S. that meet the defined infringement criteria.

HJRES 33 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule that aimed to expand the E-Rate Program to address the "homework gap" by improving school internet access. The resolution invokes a federal process (under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code) to disapprove the FCC's specific rule, which was published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2024. If passed, this resolution would prevent the FCC rule from taking effect, directly affecting the implementation of E-Rate Program upgrades for schools and libraries. The measure does not create new policy but halts an existing FCC rule through congressional disapproval.

This joint resolution seeks to block a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule that aimed to expand internet access for schools through the E-Rate program, specifically addressing the "homework gap" by increasing funding for student connectivity. The rule, published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2024, would have modified how schools and libraries access broadband under the E-Rate program. If passed, the resolution would cancel this rule, preventing it from taking effect under federal disapproval procedures. This is a procedural action targeting a specific FCC regulatory change, not a new policy.