House Unanimously Clears Communications Act Update of 2016

The House of Representatives unanimously amended and approved the Communications Act Update Act of 2016 (S. 253). The bill contains eight Commerce Committee bills that have previously passed the House or have unanimously passed the committee. S. 253 now heads back to the Senate for final consideration. The bills included in the package are as follows (in order by Title of the amendment to S. 253):

1) The Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act (H.R. 2583), sponsored by House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). Previously passed the House November 16, 2015, by voice vote. The bill aims to increase transparency, efficiency, and accountability at the FCC.
2) The Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act (H.R. 734), sponsored by House Majority Whip and committee member Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA). Previously passed the House February 24, 2015, by a vote of 411 to 0. The legislation aims to reduce the reporting workload and increase efficiency at the FCC. The legislation would consolidate a number of existing reports required by law into a single, comprehensive report on the state of the communications marketplace.
3) The Small Business Broadband Deployment Act (H.R. 4596), sponsored by Chairman Walden. Previously passed the House March 16, 2016, by a vote of 411 to 0. The bill would support small Internet Service Providers (ISPs) by protecting them from the onerous reporting requirements included in the FCC’s Open Internet Order. The bill would extend the small business ISP exemption for providers with fewer than 250,000 subscribers for five years.
4) Kari’s Law Act of 2015 (H.R. 4167), sponsored by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX). Previously passed the House May 23, 2016, by voice vote. The would require that any multi-line telephone system connects directly to 911 when dialed, even in instances where the phone requires the user to dial “9” to get an outside line.
5) Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act (H.R. 3998), sponsored by Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). Previously passed the House May 23, 2016, by a vote of 389 to 2. The bill would create requirements for mobile service providers during emergencies to ensure that consumers have access to networks during disasters, and requires the FCC and GAO to examine the resiliency of networks during these events. In addition, it amends the Stafford Act to ensure all categories of communications service providers may access disaster sites to restore service.
6) Anti-Spoofing Act of 2016 (H.R. 2669), introduced by Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) and co-authored by committee members Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX). Previously passed by the Commerce Committee September 21, 2016, by voice vote. The bill aims to strengthen the Truth In Caller ID Act and protect consumers from fraudulent actors and deceptive text messages by going after lawbreakers who seek to harass and defraud consumers. Passed unanimously by voice vote.
7) Amateur Radio Parity Act (H.R. 1301), sponsored by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL). Previously passed the House September 12, 2016, by voice vote. The bill would instruct the FCC to adopt rules that protect the rights of amateur radio operators to use radio equipment in deed-restricted communities.
8) Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability (H.R. 2566), sponsored by Rep. David Young (R-IA). Previously passed by the Commerce Committee September 21, 2016, by voice vote. The bill would require intermediate providers to register with the Federal Communications Commission and comply with the service quality standards set by the agency in order to improve call quality from long distance or wireless calls in rural areas throughout the country. Passed unanimously by voice vote.