December 9, 2022

NATE Submits Public Comments to DOL Opposing Worker Classification Rulemaking

On Wednesday, December 7, NATE officially submitted public comments to the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division opposing the proposed rulemaking regarding employee or independent contractor classification. The Association believes that the two primary “core factors” (of five total factors) identified in the January 2021 “Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act” provides the most simple, straightforward framework for small business employers to determine a worker’s classification status.

You can read NATE’s official letter that was submitted here.  To read more about the proposed rulemaking, visit here.

Coalition of Industry Organizations Urge Congress to Fully Fund FCC’s “Rip and Replace” Program

On Thursday, December 8, NATE joined a coalition of organizations representing the U.S. information and communications industry to urge Congress to fully fund the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (Program). The Program, known as “Rip & Replace,” was mandated by the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 to remove from U.S. networks Chinese equipment deemed to pose a national security risk and replace it with equipment from trusted vendors.

The coalition letter, spearheaded by the Competitive Carriers Association, was sent to Congressional leaders and can be viewed here.

Senators Blast Commerce for Neglect of Broadband Oversight Duties

On Thursday, December 8, Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) sent a letter calling out Commerce Department Inspector General Peggy Gustafson for failing to fulfill mandated congressional oversight of previously authorized broadband funding. “Contrary to the requirements of the law, you have failed to fulfill your duties required by Congress,” Thune and Wicker wrote. You can read the full letter here.

NDAA Includes Key 5G Provisions

On Tuesday, December 6, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees released the text of the agreement that was came to on the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Included in the final version of the must-pass legislation are provisions directing various Department of Defense sub-agencies to determine how they will implement 5G wireless technologies. You can read more about the FY 2023 NDAA here.

House Members File Companion Bill to Senate Broadband Tax Bill

On Wednesday, December 7, Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Mike Kelly (R-PA) filed a companion bill to the Senate’s “Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act.” These measures would exempt tens of billions of dollars in broadband grants from federal taxation. NATE strongly supports the Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act and urges its passage. You can read more about the House companion bill here.