While it’s unlikely to have a Communications Subcommittee, the Se...

While it’s unlikely to have a Communications Subcommittee, the Senate Commerce Committee could create a “high tech” subcommittee based on the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force (HTTF), Committee Chmn. Stevens (R- Alaska) said. The committee is close to completing its subcommittee structure, said Stevens, who added that he’s consulted with all members of the committee except Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.), who was in line to chair the Communications Subcommittee that Stevens plans to eliminate. Stevens said he will conduct all communications-related hearings at the full committee level. Senate Commerce Committee ranking Democrat Inouye (D-Hawaii) already has consulted all Democrats on the panel about possible changes. Sen. Ensign (R-Nev.) is HTTF Chmn. and currently doesn’t have a Commerce Committee subcommittee assignment. Other HTTF members include: Sens. Allard (R-Co.), Allen (R-Va.), Bennett (R-Utah), Brownback (R-Kan.), Burns (R-Mont.), Bunning (R-Ky.), Hutchinson (R-Tex.), Crapo (R-Ida.), Smith (R-Ore.) and Sununu (R-N.H.). HTTF covers a wide range of issues. Its agenda includes accelerating broadband, maximizing spectrum use, reducing spam, protecting privacy, safeguarding copyright and protecting cyber security. Additionally, Stevens said the Commerce Committee would begin its work by trying to move to the floor bills that weren’t passed last year. He didn’t mention any specific telecom legislation, except for bills that would reauthorize the FCC, the Commerce Dept.’s Technology Administration and the Corp. for Public Bcstg.