Regulatory Brief: Week of 30 August 2026

FCC & Federal Regulatory Actions

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued several items in the Federal Register:

• FCC: Proposed rule. “Maximizing Efficiencies in Universal Service Administration.” Seeks comment on USF administration processes, USAC’s role, operating costs, and Board of Directors impact. Document number: 2026-17761. Publication date: 2026-08-31.
• FCC: Proposed rule. “Promoting Telehealth in Rural America.” Seeks comment on similar service and rural area comparability, cost study methods, lower-cost backup technologies, RHC Program eligible services, performance metrics, and elimination of evergreen contract approval. Document number: 2026-17767. Publication date: 2026-08-31.
• FCC: Notification. “Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau Seeks To Dismiss Twenty-Four Mooted or Outdated Petitions.” Seeks to assess continuing interest in petitions filed 2003-2023, planning dismissal with prejudice unless objections are filed. Document number: 2026-17774. Publication date: 2026-08-31.
• FCC: Notice; request for comments. “Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission.” Seeks comment on information collections regarding necessity, accuracy of burden estimates, quality, utility, clarity, minimization of burden, and reduction for small businesses. Document number: 2026-17765. Publication date: 2026-08-31.
• FCC: Notice; request for comments. “Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority.” Seeks comment on information collections regarding necessity, accuracy of burden estimates, quality, utility, clarity, minimization of burden, and reduction for small businesses. Document number: 2026-17763. Publication date: 2026-08-31.
• FCC: Notice; request for comments. “Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority.” Seeks comment on information collections regarding necessity, accuracy of burden estimates, quality, utility, clarity, minimization of burden, and reduction for small businesses. Document number: 2026-17766. Publication date: 2026-08-31.
• FCC: Final rule; correction. “Upper C-Band (3.98-4.2 GHz); Expanding Flexible Use of the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz Band; Correction.” Corrects minor editorial errors and performance benchmark year definitions in a July 31, 2026 final rule. Document number: 2026-17508. Publication date: 2026-08-27.
• FCC: Notice of public meeting. “Federal Advisory Committee Act; Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.” Announces the second meeting of CSRIC X on September 23, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EDT. Document number: 2026-17509. Publication date: 2026-08-27.
• FCC: Notice; request for comments. “Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission.” Seeks comment on information collections regarding necessity, accuracy of burden estimates, quality, utility, clarity, minimization of burden, and reduction for small businesses. Document number: 2026-17516. Publication date: 2026-08-27.
• FCC: Notice; request for comments. “Comment Sought on Prohibiting the Importation and Marketing of Certain Covered UAS and UAS Critical Components and Equipment Listed in Section 1709 of FY2025 NDAA.” PSHSB and OET seek comment on prohibiting importation and marketing of previously authorized foreign-produced UAS and critical components, and specific communications/video surveillance equipment on the Covered List. Document number: 2026-17193. Publication date: 2026-08-24.
• FCC: Notice; request for comments. “Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget.” Seeks public and federal agency comment on an information collection, focusing on reducing burden for small business concerns. Document number: 2026-17208. Publication date: 2026-08-24.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued items in the Federal Register:

• FTC: Final rule. “Telemarketing Sales Rule Fees.” Amends the TSR by updating National Do Not Call Registry access fees as required by the Do-Not-Call Registry Fee Extension Act of 2007. Document number: 2026-17428. Publication date: 2026-08-26.
• FTC: Notice. “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Extension.” Seeks public comment on extending information collection requirements in the Safeguards Rule for three years; current clearance expires December 31, 2026. Document number: 2026-17331. Publication date: 2026-08-25.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued items in the Federal Register:

• Commerce Department/NTIA: Notice of open meeting. “NTIA Listening Session on Screen-Based Instruction in K-12 Schools.” Convenes a virtual listening session on screen use in schools, related to the FCC’s E-Rate program NPRM (2026-16590). Invites input from parents, students, educators, and child development specialists. Document number: 2026-17435. Publication date: 2026-08-27.
• Commerce Department/NTIA: Notice of information collection, request for comment. “Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Application for Competitive Grant Program.” Invites comment on proposed and continuing information collections to assess impact and minimize public reporting burden. Document number: 2026-17322. Publication date: 2026-08-25.

Congressional Activity

Appliance Standards

• H.R. 8402 (117th Congress): “DOE Appliance and Equipment Standards Reform and Consumer Protection Act.” Latest action: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, 2022-07-15.
• H.R. 6192 (118th Congress): “Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act.” Latest action: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 2024-05-08.

Social Security

• H.R. 9359 (118th Congress): “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the inclusion in gross income of Social Security benefits.” Latest action: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, 2024-08-13.
• H.R. 3206 (118th Congress): “Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act.” Latest action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security, 2024-12-17.
• H.R. 7084 (118th Congress): “You Earned It, You Keep It Act.” Latest action: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security, 2024-12-17.

Other Legislative Activity

• H.R. 3258 (111th Congress): “Drinking Water System Security Act of 2009.” Latest action: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 179, 2009-10-23.
• S. 2169 (117th Congress): “Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act.” Latest action: Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 117-890, 2022-05-18.
• H.R. 5549 (118th Congress): “End of GSE Conservatorship Preparation Act of 2023.” Latest action: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services, 2023-09-18.
• H.R. 45 (119th Congress): “FIND Act.” Latest action: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 2025-01-03.
• H.R. 161 (119th Congress): “New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act.” Latest action: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 542, 2026-04-28.