Commercial Flight Courtesy Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1450
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Alexander, Lamar [R-TN]
Introduced: 2017-06-28
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Aviation and airports

Department of Transportation

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2017-06-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-06-28
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Commercial Flight Courtesy Act of 2017</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue regulations prohibiting an individual on an aircraft from engaging in voice communications using a mobile device during a flight in scheduled passenger interstate or intrastate air transportation. DOT must exempt from the prohibition: (1) members of the flight crew on duty on an aircraft, and (2) federal law enforcement officers acting in an official capacity.</p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1450 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 28, 2017 Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mr. Markey ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To prohibit cell phone voice communications during passenger flights.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Commercial Flight Courtesy Act of 2017 . 2. Prohibition on cell phone voice communications during passenger flights (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 41725. Prohibition on certain cell phone voice communications (a) Prohibition The Secretary of Transportation shall issue regulations— (1) to prohibit an individual on an aircraft from engaging in voice communications using a mobile communications device during a flight of that aircraft in scheduled passenger interstate air transportation or intrastate air transportation; and (2) that exempt from the prohibition described in paragraph (1)— (A) any member of the flight crew on duty on an aircraft; and (B) any Federal law enforcement officer acting in an official capacity. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Flight The term flight means, with respect to an aircraft, the period beginning when the aircraft takes off and ending when the aircraft lands. (2) Mobile communications device (A) In general The term mobile communications device means any portable wireless telecommunications equipment utilized for the transmission or reception of voice data. (B) Limitation The term mobile communications device does not include a phone installed on an aircraft. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 41724 the following new item: 41725. Prohibition on certain cell phone voice communications. .