Save the Internet Act of 2019

To restore the open internet order of the Federal Communications Commission. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Save the Internet Act of 2019 2. Restoration of open internet order (a) Repeal of rule (1) In general The Declaratory Ruling, Report and Order, and Order in the matter of restoring internet freedom that was adopted by the Commission on December 14, 2017 (FCC 17–166), shall have no force or effect. (2) Prohibition on reissued rule or new rule The Declaratory Ruling, Report and Order, and Order described in paragraph (1) may not be reissued in substantially the same form, and a new rule that is substantially the same as such Declaratory Ruling, Report and Order, and Order may not be issued, unless the reissued or new rule is specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Restoration of repealed and amended rules The following are restored as in effect on January 19, 2017: (1) The Report and Order on Remand, Declaratory Ruling, and Order in the matter of protecting and promoting the open internet that was adopted by the Commission on February 26, 2015 (FCC 15–24). (2) Part 8 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations. (3) Any other rule of the Commission that was amended or repealed by the Declaratory Ruling, Report and Order, and Order described in subsection (a)(1). (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Commission The term Commission (2) Restored as in effect on January 19, 2017 The term restored as in effect on January 19, 2017 47 U.S.C. 151 (3) Rule The term rule 3. Exception to enhancement to transparency requirements relating to performance characteristics and network practices for small businesses (a) In general The enhancements to the transparency rule relating to performance characteristics and network practices of the Commission under section 8.3 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, as described in paragraphs 165 through 184 of the Report and Order on Remand, Declaratory Ruling, and Order in the matter of protecting and promoting the open internet that was adopted by the Commission February 26, 2015 (FCC 15–24), shall not apply to any small business. (b) Sunset Subsection (a) shall not have any force or effect after the date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Report by FCC Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that contains the recommendations of the Commission (and data supporting such recommendations) regarding— (1) whether the exception provided by subsection (a) should be made permanent; and (2) whether the definition of the term small business (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Broadband internet access service The term broadband Internet access service (2) Commission The term Commission (3) Small business The term small business April 5, 2019 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Save the Internet Act of 2019 This bill updates the regulatory framework for broadband access. Specifically, the bill repeals a 2017 order adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that classifies broadband internet access service as an information service, therefore placing it under Federal Trade Commission authority. The order also expands the public transparency rules and preempts local and state laws that conflict with the regulatory framework. The bill restores a 2015 FCC order, which classifies both mobile and fixed broadband internet access services as telecommunications services, therefore placing the services under FCC authority. Additionally, the bill would create a general conduct standard and restore regulations, including those that prohibit blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization. The bill establishes an exception for small businesses to certain transparency requirements relating to performance characteristics and network practices, and it directs the FCC to engage with tribal stakeholders regarding broadband access service challenges on tribal lands. Among other reports, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the internet ecosystem, the importance of open internet rules to vulnerable communities, broadband internet access service competition, high-speed infrastructure, challenges to accurate broadband mapping, and the benefits of stand-alone broadband.