The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology discussed three proposals on Thursday that would protect consumers and increase manufacturing.
The proposals would strengthen consumer protection against ID spoofing, ensure consideration of low power television and translators in auction proceedings, and reduce regulatory burden on electronics manufacturers, according to a press release.
“These bills will benefit consumers, streamline electronic device manufacturing for the digital age, and protect Americans from misleading communications,” House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chairman Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) said.
The E-LABEL Act, which was proposed by House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Vice Chairman Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio), would relieve regulatory burden on electronics manufacturers.
“Permitting e-labeling would not only facilitate efforts to bring our communications laws in line with 21st century technologies, but it would benefit both manufacturers and consumers,” Latta said. “Manufacturers would have increased flexibility to design innovative products that consumers demand. It would also reduce device manufacturers’ development costs. According to the Telecommunications Industry Association, e-labeling could result in over $80 million in savings per year for companies.”
The legislators also discussed the Anti-Spoofing Act. The bill, authored by Reps. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Leonard Lance (R-N.J.) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Emeritus Joe Barton (R-Texas), would protect consumers from fraudulent actors and deceitful text messages through updates to the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009.
Barton also authored the LPTV and Translator Preservation Act, which the subcommittee considered on Thursday. The bill would ensure consideration of low power television (LPTV) and broadcast translator licensees by the FCC as it conducts the broadcast incentive auction.
“This legislation gives low power license holders increased moral standing, if nothing else, in their petitions before the FCC,” Barton said. “If this bill does become law, they will still have a secondary license, they will not have any guarantee, but they will have the strength, that legislatively, the House and the Senate, as signed by the president wants the FCC to work with low power TV license holders to give them the best chance possible to maintain their viability in the marketplace.”