According to the ARRL, the FCC has adopted changes to the rules governing the use of spread spectrum radio transmissions by US Amateur Radio operators. The rule changes, which take effect April 29, 2011, eliminate the requirement that amateur stations transmitting Spread Spectrum use Automatic Power Control (APC) to reduce transmitter power. This requirement proved to be impractical, and was a reason for the lack of more active experimentation using this transmission mode. At the same time, the Commission has reduced the maximum power of a spread spectrum emission from 100 to 10 Watts PEP.
The spread spectrum mode of radio transmission is one of the unique wireless modes making amateur radio licensing more attractive and relevant to hackers today, as noted in this Defcon16 video presentation.
The FCC Report and Order explaining the rules changes is available here.