AGBeat Columnist: Melanie Wyne
Melanie is the Senior Technology Policy Representative at the National Association of Realtors. That means she lobbies Congress and Federal Agencies on technology policy issues of importance to the real estate industry. In her pre-NAR life Melanie has been a practicing attorney and a software start-up executive. Like any native Californian, Melanie loves good wine and bountiful farmers markets.
Should the real estate industry self regulate on privacy? [NAR]
![Should the real estate industry self regulate on privacy? [NAR]](http://agbeat.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/washington-150x150.jpg)
A new Congress is in full swing here in Washington and policy agendas are shaping up for 2011. In the technology area, a perennial hot issue is privacy and data security. I recently attended the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee’s “State of the Net” conference; an annual must stop on every tech policy wonk’s conference circuit. Among the many issues ...
National wireless initiative unveiled by the President
President Obama travelled to Michigan today to announce a major new wireless initiative with the goal to bring 4G wireless internet access to 98 percent of the country within five years, build a national public safety broadband network and promote wireless innovation through increased research and development. While all of these goals are laudable, for the real estate industry, the ...
Tech Takes the Stage at State of the Union
Did anyone else notice that tech policy played a prominent role in last night’s State of the Union Address? While the overall theme was investment and innovation many policy proposals long advocated by the tech policy crowd made their way into last night’s speech. Access to high-speed broadband—mobile in particular, was the issue that pricked up my ears as being ...
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2011 in tech policy: predictions for what’s ahead
The 112th Congress was gaveled into session today. Seems like a good time to discuss what we can expect on the technology policy front in 2011. I went back and read my inaugural post on Agent Genius from last year setting out predictions for 2010. I was pretty good at nailing issues that were in the mix and talked about plenty ...
The FCC did what? Net neutrality explained
Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted network neutrality rules, taking an important step in a policy making process that has been underway since 2005. Broadly speaking, network neutrality is the idea that internet service providers (ISPs) may not hinder or discriminate against lawful content flowing through their network. In other words, ISPs cannot filter or determine what consumers see ...
Another Try in Congress at Net Neutrality?
A draft on a network neutrality bill that has been in the works in the House for the past few weeks surfaced late yesterday. The proposed bill is championed by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Chairman Waxman is trying to pass net neutrality legislation before the House adjourns this week. If he manages ...
Google-Verizon Deal: How Does it Affect Your Net?
The tech policy press has been abuzz for the past 18 hours over reports that Google and Verizon are close to reaching a deal on how to manage traffic over Verizon’s network. If a deal is reached, it could influence how the FCC and other regulators move forward on network neutrality. I’ve discussed Net Neutrality and NAR’s take on the ...
FHA to expand acceptance of electronic signatures
FHA Commissioner Dave Stevens recently announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) intends to expand its acceptance of electronic signatures on certain documents. In April, FHA began accepting electronic signatures on third party documents like sales contracts. With this announcement, FHA will begin to accept e-signatures on lender originated documents (e.g. the Uniform Residential Loan Application) and loan disclosures that ...
Proposed Privacy Bill Released
Yesterday, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) and Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) released a discussion draft of comprehensive privacy legislation that has been in the works for over a year. The proposed legislation would require web publishers to alert users about how their information is being collected, used, shared and stored. The most stringent requirements are placed on what the legislation terms ...
Techie’s guide to NAR’s mid-year meetings
Are you coming to NAR’s Mid Year Meetings in Washington DC on May 11-13? If so, here’s a quick and dirty guide to what to check out and where to grab a cocktail. If you are going to be at the meetings please be sure and let me know, in the comments or DM me @nartech. I’d love to meet ...
Who’s in charge of the Internet now and what are the FCC’s options?
You may have heard that a DC federal court issued a ruling last week challenging the FCC’s decision in 2008 to tell internet service provider Comcast to stop blocking peer-to-peer operator BitTorrent. Depending on who you believe, the court either a) placed the FCC into an “existential crisis leaving the agency unable to protect consumers in the broadband marketplace and ...
Does the U.S. need a cellphone user’s Bill of Rights?
Does the US Need a Cellphone User’s Bill of Rights? I recently attended a panel discussion hosted by Washington think tank, the New America Foundation. The topic was wireless phone regulation. Farhad Manjoo, a technology columnist at Slate Magazine had a wish list for the FCC on regulatory changes that could make cell phone service better for consumers. Here’s what ...
Benn Rosales
Conal Campbell
Elijah May
Lani Rosales
Tara Steele
Marti Trewe
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