News published on Federal Newswire in April 2024

Privacy advocacy groups have long sought the inclusion of data minimization in state privacy statutes. However, states considering and passing legislation in recent years showed reluctance or little appetite to go through with minimization.Caitriona Fitzgerald, Deputy Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, expressed the significance of recent developments in state privacy laws, stating, "It’s a real game-changer for consumers because it takes the onus off them to protect their privacy and instead requires companies to look at their data collection...

National Association of Realtors® Teams Up With SoFi for Exclusive Financial Benefits

The National Association of Realtors® has recently announced a new partnership with SoFi, providing exclusive financial benefits for NAR members and their clients. Rhonny Barragan, NAR vice president of strategic alliances, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, "This partnership amplifies our support for the diverse financial needs of our members." SoFi's vice president and business lead, Michael Bourgeois, also shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "We're extremely excited to partner with NAR to provide a one-stop financial solution to their...

CCIA to Co-Host Conference, Book Release on the 2023 Merger Guidelines

Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association, together with Concurrences, will co-host a half-day program Tuesday, April 9, to mark the release of their latest joint publication, “The 2023 U.S. Merger Guidelines: A Review.”The conference speakers will include two former Federal Trade Commissioners, merger practitioners, and authors of the publication as they discuss key aspects of the revised Guidelines and their expectations for U.S. merger policy and enforcement. In particular, antitrust experts and practitioners will examine the Guidelines’ practical...

U.S. Commerce Department Announces CHIPS Funding

Washington – The U.S. Commerce Department announced today $6.6 billion in funding under the CHIPS and Science Act toward three Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) chipmaking fabrication plants in Arizona.In response to this announcement, CCIA President & CEO Matt Schruers expressed his support by stating, "We applaud the Biden Administration for investing in high tech competitiveness and paving the way for more U.S.-based manufacturing capacity that will fuel innovation for products across the economy. This investment in TSMC chip-making in Arizona is a...

Congress Should Mandate Mileage-Based User Fees for Heavy Trucks, New Report Concludes

A new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) suggests that Congress should mandate a mileage-based user fee system for heavy trucks as a sensible way to transition from gas taxes to road maintenance funding. Authored by ITIF President Robert D. Atkinson, the report calls on Congress to implement this system in the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization.Atkinson emphasizes the importance of adapting to the shift from internal combustion to electric vehicles, stating, “The technology for a system of mileage-based user fees is...

Columbia Business School adjunct professor on Bankman-Fried sentencing: 'If anything, it should have been a longer sentence'

Austin Campbell, an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School and former chief risk officer at Paxos, has described the 25-year prison sentence handed to FTX Founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried as "a fair and just outcome." Campbell's remarks were made in a post dated March 28 on X.

46 LGBTQIA+ rights groups tell Supreme Court that ordinances that make homelessness criminal are unconstitutional

In a recent amicus brief, 46 groups advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights have approached the Supreme Court, arguing that ordinances criminalizing homelessness are tantamount to cruel and unusual punishment. They assert that such measures violate the Eighth Amendment. The Center for Constitutional Rights has filed this amicus brief on behalf of these groups.

HHS enhances safeguards for people with Medicare coverage

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared enhancements to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D, aimed at supporting individuals who participate in the Medicare program. This announcement, backed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), follows rules designed to promote pricing competition and mental health services.

DHS takes measures to protect America’s textile industry from illegal entities

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is implementing measures to bolster the security of the country's textile industry. A new initiative will enable two DHS agencies to collaborate more effectively on their mission to protect America's textile sector, which provides over 500,000 jobs.

Institute for Justice condems Texas city for issuing a fine and arrest warrant for unreturned library books

The Institute for Justice (IJ) has expressed its condemnation of the city of Navasota, Texas, and its municipal court for issuing a fine and an arrest warrant for Kaylee Morgan, a resident of Grimes County who failed to return library books on time. The non-profit public interest law firm labelled the actions as "grossly inappropriate and unconstitutional."

Tech Policy Press: Industry Representatives and Regulators Discuss Privacy and Child Online Safety Legislation

Industry representatives and regulators gathered at the IAPP Global Privacy Summit to delve into the complexities of privacy and child online safety legislation. Keir Lamont, Director for US Legislation at the Future of Privacy Forum, emphasized the intricate nature of comprehensive privacy legislation, stating, "Comprehensive privacy legislation is much more complicated than merely who is notified and in what order after consumers suffer a data breach."Caitriona Fitzgerald, Deputy Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, highlighted the challenges of...

FTC and HHS extend comment deadline for GPO and drug wholesaler RFI

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced an extension to the public comment period for their joint Request for Information (RFI). The RFI seeks to understand how group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and drug wholesalers contribute to generic drug shortages. The deadline has been extended to May 30, 2024.

Appeals court removes restrictions, allowing DOJ to investigate National Association of Realtors' conduct

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has lifted restrictions that previously prevented the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) from investigating potential anticompetitive behavior by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This decision reinforces the DOJ's authority to scrutinize NAR's Participation Rule and Clear Cooperation Policy in an effort to safeguard competition.

Russian Nationalists plead guilty for illegally sending aviation technology to Russia

Two Russian nationalists have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA) through a scheme to export controlled aviation technology to Russia. Over $4.5 million in unlawful transactions were conducted between the defendants, in addition to selling sensitive aircraft parts to Russian companies.

Science of AI Safety partnership created between the United States and the United Kingdom

The United States and the United Kingdom have embarked on a collaborative venture focusing on the Science of AI Safety. This partnership will see the two nations' Safety Institutes joining forces to conduct research, safety evaluations, and provide guidance for AI safety within their respective countries.

Trade and Technology Council Task Force has concluded its work

The United States - European Union Trade and Technology Council Talent for Growth Task Force has completed its work. Although the Task Force's activities, announced in December 2022, have come to an end, collaboration from the private sector continues.

Resources for the Future partners with CGEP and Bezos Earth Fund to fund economic resilience research