Legislative Activity
Satellite Communications
As a follow up to its hearing in mid-February, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a second hearing related to the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA), which expires in 2014 (see This Week’s Hearings below). The witness list has not yet been finalized, but is likely to include executives from the cable and broadcast industries. Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) has shown an interest in holding a series of hearings on the matter; the event on Wednesday, June 12 is not likely to be the last.
Patent Reform
The White House issued an Executive Order related to patent reform last week, signifying that the issue of discouraging “patent trolls” is here to stay. The House Judiciary Committee has already held multiple hearings on the bills put forth by its Chairman and committee members; the impetus is now on the Senate. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and John Cornyn (R-TX) both introduced bills last month, but no hearings have been scheduled yet. We expect to see movement from the Senate Judiciary Committee soon.
This Week’s Hearings:
- Tuesday, June 11: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a hearing titled “Reducing Duplication and Improving Outcomes in Federal Information Technology.”
- Wednesday, June 12: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology will hold a hearing titled “The Satellite Television Law: Repeal, Reauthorize or Revise?”