Associated Press

The State Department wants to require all US visa applicants to submit their social media usernames, previous email addresses and phone numbers, vastly expanding the Trump Administration's enhanced vetting of potential immigrants and visitors. In documents to be published in March 30's Federal Register, the department said it wants the public to comment on the proposed new requirements, which will affect nearly 15 million foreigners who apply for visas to enter the US each year.

Frustrated with repeated delays costing taxpayers millions of dollars, the Kentucky Senate has voted to effectively end a project that would bring high-speed internet capability to one of the poorest states in the country. But officials in Gov. Matt Bevin's administration warn it would likely cost more to kill the project than it would to finish it.

A judge recommended that President Donald Trump mute rather than block some of his critics from following him on Twitter to resolve a First Amendment lawsuit.  US District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald suggested a settlement as the preferred outcome after hearing lawyers argue whether it’s constitutional for Trump to block some followers. “Isn’t the answer he just mutes the person he finds personally offensive?” she asked.

Gov Phil Scott (R-VT) is working to ensure that all state contracts with internet providers include network neutrality protections. He signed an executive order that applies to all state departments, commissions and boards.

The Washington House on Feb 9 passed a bill meant to ensure the state's residents don't see a disruption in internet service. House Bill 2282 passed on a strong bipartisan 93-5 vote and now heads to the Senate for consideration. Under the measure, internet providers are prohibited from blocking content or impairing traffic. The bill also would require providers to disclose information about their management practices, performance and commercial terms. Violations would be enforceable under the state's Consumer Protection Act.

A bill to prohibit internet service providers from prioritizing or blocking certain websites based on content or hosting platform was killed Feb 6 in a Virginia House subcommittee. The House Commerce and Labor subcommittee voted 5-0 against the bill, with one abstention. VA Delegate Greg Habeeb (R-Salem) chair of the subcommittee, argued that the bill would prompt broadband providers to pull out of Virginia.

Lawmakers in Rhode Island have introduced legislation to counter the repeal of federal network neutrality rules. RI state Rep Aaron Regunberg (D-Providence), introduced a bill to allow Rhode Island to preserve net neutrality as much as possible following the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of the policy. State Rep Regunberg, lieutenant governor candidate, says it would require internet access purchased or funded by the state be provided in an unbiased manner, consistent with net neutrality principles.