End Taxpayer Funded Cell Phones Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-5525
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]
Introduced: 2016-06-16
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt

Telecommunication rates and fees

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2016-06-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 207 - 143 (Roll no. 334).

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-06-16
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>End Taxpayer Funded Cell Phones Act of</b> <b>2016</b></p> <p>This bill prohibits a provider of commercial mobile service or commercial mobile data service from receiving universal service support under the Communications Act of 1934 through the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) Lifeline program, which provides subsidies for discounts on monthly telephone or broadband service (e.g., Internet service on mobile phones) to qualifying low-income consumers.</p> <p>The FCC must continue to collect universal service contributions from telecommunications carriers through 2017 based on mobile service support provided in 2016 despite the bill's prohibition on Lifeline universal service support for mobile services. But the amounts collected for mobile services must be deposited in the Treasury for deficit reduction instead of being distributed for universal service support. </p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5525 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 16, 2016 Mr. Austin Scott of Georgia (for himself and Mr. Sessions ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To prohibit universal service support of commercial mobile service and commercial mobile data service through the Lifeline program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the End Taxpayer Funded Cell Phones Act of 2016 . 2. Prohibition on Lifeline support for mobile service (a) In general Beginning on January 1, 2017, a provider of commercial mobile service or commercial mobile data service may not receive universal service support under sections 214(e) and 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 214(e) ; 254) for the provision of such service through the Lifeline program of the Federal Communications Commission. (b) Contributions For calendar year 2017, the amount that telecommunications carriers that provide interstate telecommunications services and other providers of interstate telecommunications are required to contribute under section 254(d) of the Communications Act of 1934 to Federal universal service support mechanisms shall be determined— (1) without regard to subsection (a); and (2) as if the same amount of support for the provision of commercial mobile service and commercial mobile data service through the Lifeline program that is provided in calendar year 2016 is provided in calendar year 2017. (c) Excess collections The amount collected pursuant to subsection (b)(2) shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury of the United States, for the sole purpose of deficit reduction. No portion of such amount may be treated as a credit toward future contributions required under section 254(d) of the Communications Act of 1934. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Commercial mobile data service The term commercial mobile data service has the meaning given such term in section 6001 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 ( 47 U.S.C. 1401 ). (2) Commercial mobile service The term commercial mobile service has the meaning given such term in section 332 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 332 ).