Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-1002
Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-16]
Introduced: 2011-03-10 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Sales and excise taxes
State and local taxation
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: 
Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011- Prohibits states or local governments from imposing any new discriminatory tax on mobile services, mobile service providers, or mobile service property (i.e., cell phones) for five years after the enactment of this Act. Defines &quot;new discriminatory tax&quot; as a tax imposed on mobile services, providers, or property that is not generally imposed on other types of services or property, or that is generally imposed at a lower rate, unless such tax was imposed and actually enforced prior to the date of enactment of this Act.

action_date: 2011-07-29
text: 
Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011 - Prohibits states or local governments from imposing any new discriminatory tax on mobile services, mobile service providers, or mobile service property (i.e., cell phones) for five years after the enactment of this Act. Defines &quot;new discriminatory tax&quot; as a tax imposed on mobile services, providers, or property that is not generally imposed on, or that is generally imposed at a lower rate on, other types of services, providers, or property, unless such tax was imposed and actually enforced prior to the enactment of this Act.
 
Amends the federal judicial code to grant jurisdiction to federal district courts to grant injunctive and other appropriate relief to prevent, restrain, or terminate any acts in violation of this Act. 
 
Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study, throughout the five-year moratorium imposed by this Act, to determine how, and the extent to which, taxes on mobile services, providers, or property impact the costs consumers pay for mobile services and the extent to which such moratorium has any impact on the costs consumers pay for mobile services. 
 

action_date: 2011-11-01
text: 
Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2011 - Prohibits states or local governments from imposing any new discriminatory tax on mobile services, mobile service providers, or mobile service property (i.e., cell phones) for five years after the enactment of this Act. Defines "new discriminatory tax" as a tax imposed on mobile services, providers, or property that is not generally imposed on, or that is generally imposed at a lower rate on, other types of services, providers, or property, unless such tax was imposed and actually enforced prior to the enactment of this Act.
 
Amends the federal judicial code to grant jurisdiction to federal district courts to grant injunctive and other appropriate relief to prevent, restrain, or terminate any acts in violation of this Act. 
 
Requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study, throughout the five-year moratorium imposed by this Act, to determine how, and the extent to which, taxes on mobile services, providers, or property impact the costs consumers pay for mobile services and the extent to which such moratorium has any impact on the costs consumers pay for mobile services. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-11-02
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2011-11-01
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2011-11-01
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7175-7176)
action_date: 2011-11-01
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7175-7176)
action_date: 2011-11-01
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1002.
action_date: 2011-11-01
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7175-7177)
action_date: 2011-11-01
text: Mr. Franks (AZ) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2011-07-29
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 122.
action_date: 2011-07-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-188.
action_date: 2011-07-29
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-188.
action_date: 2011-07-14
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2011-07-14
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2011-03-15
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2011-03-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-03-10
text: Introduced in House