PSC Oversight Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-421
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2017-02-16
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

State and local government operations

Telecommunication rates and fees
Latest action: action_date: 2017-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-02-16
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Preserving State Commission Oversight Act of 2017 or the PSC Oversight Act of 2017</b></p> <p>This bill nullifies a Federal Communications Commission regulation that prohibits a state commission from designating Lifeline broadband providers that are eligible to accept government subsidies in exchange for providing discounted Internet service to qualifying low-income consumers under the universal service program.</p> <p>The bill also amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit anything in such Act or the Telecommunications Act of 1996 from being construed as modifying or limiting the jurisdiction of any state commission to designate a telecommunications carrier eligible to receive universal service support. </p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 421 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 16, 2017 Mrs. Fischer (for herself and Mr. Udall ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to protect low-income Lifeline subscribers by mandating a continuing role for States in designating eligible telecommunications carriers for participation in the Universal Service program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Preserving State Commission Oversight Act of 2017 or the PSC Oversight Act of 2017 . 2. Lifeline broadband providers (a) No force or effect On and after the date of enactment of this Act, paragraph (j) of section 54.201 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, shall have no force or effect. (b) Removal from rules Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall amend section 54.201 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, by striking paragraph (j). 3. State duty to designate eligible telecommunications carriers Section 214(e) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 214(e) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (7) Rule of construction Nothing in this Act or in the Telecommunications Act of 1996 ( Public Law 104–104 ; 110 Stat. 56) may be construed as modifying or effectively limiting the jurisdiction of any State commission to designate an eligible telecommunications carrier under this subsection. .