OVERNIGHT TECH: Senators to call for update to privacy laws

In one of the letters, the Washington State Association of Broadcasters urged Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), a co-chairman of the supercommittee, to not hold incentive auctions unless the U.S. first re-negotiates broadcasting agreements with Canada to ensure that viewers near the border still have access to local stations.

Lawmakers like “Bill Shock” agreement: The leadership of the House telecom subpanel was among those praising the Federal Communications Commission and the wireless industry for adopting voluntary guidelines that will alert customers before they trigger additional charges on their wireless bills. The FCC had drafted rules to require the industry to implement a
notification system after numerous complaints of “bill shock” by consumers, but FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said his agency would put those regulations on hold in light of the industry’s commitment.

{mosads}”Rather than adopt heavy-handed regulations that would hamper America’s job creators, the FCC and the wireless industry worked together to craft a result that protects consumers without costly mandates,” said Chairman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.), vice chairman. “The Energy and Commerce Committee is focused on reducing the regulatory burden on the companies that are driving America’s economy and supporting American jobs. Today’s announcement is a welcome step from the FCC toward a cooperative approach that benefits consumers while supporting the jobs and investment that the innovative U.S. wireless industry continues to bring in these tough economic times.”

Lieberman, Collins say federal CIOs need more authority: Senate Homeland Security Chairman Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and ranking member Susan Collins (R-Maine) responded to a GAO report on Monday that indicated federal chief information officers lack sufficient authority over hiring and their budgets by calling for agencies to turn more control over to their top IT officials.

“With the weakened state of the economy and the battle over the federal budget, missing any opportunity to operate government in a smarter, more efficient way is unacceptable,” Lieberman said. “Particularly troubling is that GAO found many federal CIOs have not been fully empowered to be successful.”

USTelecom hires GOP aide: USTelecom announced the hiring of Sean Farrell, former legislative assistant to Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), on Monday as director of government affairs. Farrell spent almost seven years on the Hill, also working for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and former congresswoman Anne Northup (R-Ky.).

ICYMI: 

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann joined the growing chorus on both the left and the right voicing concern about the Protect IP Act, which is expected to be introduced in the House soon.

Four House Democrats wrote to FCC Chairman Genachowski on Monday urging him to improve high-speed Internet access at anchor institutions such as schools and libraries.

Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) said cybersecurity guidance released last week by the Securities and Exchange Commission that directs firms to disclose the risk of an attack to investors is a game-changer.

The Senate will take up a grant program this week that would devote $10 million at help states combat “distracted driving.”