Spam Calls Task Force Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-721
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Crist, Charlie [D-FL-13]
Introduced: 2019-01-23
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Department of Justice

Executive agency funding and structure

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Government studies and investigations

International law and treaties

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2019-04-30
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-01-23
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Spam Calls Task Force Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Justice to assemble an interagency working group to study and report to Congress on the enforcement of the prohibition of certain robocalls. Specifically, the working group will look into how to better enforce against robocalls by examining issues like the types of laws, policies, or constraints that could be inhibiting enforcement.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 721 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 23, 2019 Mr. Crist (for himself, Mr. Graves of Louisiana , Mr. Cartwright , and Mr. Jones ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Attorney General to convene an interagency working group to study the enforcement of section 227(b) of the Communications Act of 1934.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Spam Calls Task Force Act of 2019 . 2. Interagency working group (a) In general The Attorney General, in consultation with the Federal Communications Commission, shall convene an interagency working group to study the enforcement of section 227(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 227(b) ). (b) Duties In carrying out the study under subsection (a), the interagency working group shall— (1) determine whether, and if so how, any Federal law, including regulations, policies, and practices, or budgetary or jurisdictional constraints inhibit the enforcement of such section; (2) identify existing and potential Federal policies and programs that encourage and improve coordination among Federal departments and agencies and States, and between States, in the enforcement and prevention of the violation of such section; (3) identify existing and potential international policies and programs that encourage and improve coordination between countries in the enforcement and prevention of the violation of such section (and laws of foreign countries prohibiting similar conduct); and (4) consider— (A) the benefit and potential sources of additional resources for the Federal enforcement and prevention of the violation of such section; (B) whether memoranda of understanding regarding the enforcement and prevention of the violation of such section should be established between— (i) the States; (ii) the States and the Federal Government; and (iii) the Federal Government and foreign governments; (C) whether a process should be established to allow States to request Federal subpoenas from the Federal Communications Commission with respect to the enforcement of such section; (D) whether increased criminal penalties for the violation of such section (including increasing the amount of fines and increasing the maximum term of imprisonment that may be imposed to a period greater than 2 years) are appropriate; (E) whether regulation of any entity that enters into a business arrangement with a carrier for the specific purpose of carrying, routing, or transmitting a call that constitutes a violation of such section would assist in the successful enforcement and prevention of the violation of such section; and (F) the extent to which the prosecution of certain violations of such section (which result in economic, physical, or emotional harm) pursuant to any Department of Justice policy may inhibit or otherwise interfere with the prosecution of other violations of such section. (c) Members The interagency working group shall be composed of such representatives of Federal departments and agencies as the Attorney General considers appropriate, which may include— (1) the Department of Commerce; (2) the Department of State; (3) the Department of Homeland Security; (4) the Federal Communications Commission; (5) the Federal Trade Commission; and (6) the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. (d) Non-Federal stakeholders In carrying out the study under subsection (a), the interagency working group shall consult with such non-Federal stakeholders as the Attorney General determines have relevant expertise, including the National Association of Attorneys General. (e) Report to Congress Not later than 9 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the interagency working group shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the study under subsection (a), including— (1) any recommendations regarding the enforcement and prevention of the violation of such section; and (2) a description of what process, if any, relevant Federal departments and agencies have made in implementing the recommendations under paragraph (1).