zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Closing the Pre-Paid Mobile Device Security Gap Act of 2016

This bill requires authorized resellers of pre-paid mobile devices or SIM cards to require purchasers to provide their name, home address, and date of birth.

For in-person sales, an authorized reseller must require purchasers to display for verification: (1) a government-issued photographic identification card or a document acceptable under the Immigration and Nationality Act for employment authorization or establishing identity; and (2) any two of a Form W-2 Wage and Tax Statement from the Internal Revenue Service, a Form 1099 Social Security Benefit Statement or a Form 1099 from another federal agency, or a document containing personal identifying information that the Department of Justice (DOJ) finds to be acceptable. For all other sales, an authorized reseller must require purchasers to submit their: (1) credit or debit card account information, (2) Social Security number, (3) driver's license number, and (4) any personal identifying information that DOJ finds to be necessary.

Authorized resellers must make a record of their sales that includes: (1) the information obtained from purchasers to verify their identity; (2) the date of sale; (3) the manufacturer and the wireless carrier of the device or SIM card; (4) any assigned telephone number or other identifier of the subscriber or account; and (5) if applicable, the international mobile equipment identifier number, electronic serial number, mobile equipment identifier, international mobile subscriber identifier, and machine address code. Within 30 days after a sale, an authorized reseller must transmit such record to the wireless carrier for the device or SIM card.

Purchasers are subject to criminal penalties for providing false or misleading identifying information or documents. A civil penalty is established for authorized resellers or wireless carriers who fail to comply with this Act.

The bill also prohibits and establishes criminal penalties for the sale of a pre-paid mobile device or SIM card by a person who is not an authorized reseller.

Date: 2016-03-23
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Commerce
Kelsey Smith Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a mobile or Internet voice service provider to disclose, at the request of an investigative or law enforcement officer, the call location information of a device that is: (1) used to place a 911 call, or (2) reasonably believed to be in the possession of an individual who is in an emergency situation that involves a risk of death or serious physical harm.

Additionally, the bill prohibits a civil action or administrative proceeding against a mobile or Internet voice service provider who discloses call location information in good faith in accordance with this bill.

Date: 2016-03-23
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Repeated Objectionable Bothering of Consumers on Phones Act or the ROBOCOP Act

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to expand the prohibition against knowingly transmitting inaccurate caller identification information to apply to: (1) persons outside the United States if the recipient is within the United States, or (2) text messages.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must prescribe regulations that require providers of telecommunications services or IP-enabled voice services, for no additional charge, to enable technology for: (1) subscribers originating a telephone call to verify the accuracy of their caller identification information; and (2) subscribers receiving a call to use, with the option to disable, technology to determine that an incoming call is verified as providing caller identification information that accurately identifies the person originating the call or to prevent the subscriber from receiving such a call. Service providers must also offer a free option for subscribers receiving a call to: (1) identify a call as originating from an automatic telephone dialing system or as using an artificial or prerecorded voice, and (2) prevent themselves from receiving such a call unless it is made by a public safety entity or the subscriber provides prior consent to receive the call.

The FCC must provide an exemption process for subscribers originating a call to demonstrate: (1) their legitimate need to provide misleading or inaccurate information (such as a call to conduct an activity of a domestic violence shelter or medical practice), or (2) that the FCC has exempted a call for law enforcement purposes or because of a court order. The bill allows private actions to enjoin or recover damages for violations of the FCC's caller identification technology standards. States may bring civil actions for a pattern or practice of a failure to provide such technology or options.

The bill also subjects to civil forfeiture penalties, criminal fines, or state actions persons who intentionally cause call-blocking technology to: (1) incorrectly identify calls as originating from an automatic dialing system or using an artificial or prerecorded voice, or (2) prevent the called party from receiving a call made by a public safety entity or a call to which it has provided its prior consent.

Date: 2016-04-13
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Requesting Emergency Services and Providing Origination Notification Systems Everywhere Act of 2016 or the RESPONSE Act of 2016

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to adopt rules to ensure that call location information is conveyed with 9-1-1 calls, including calls from multi-line telephone systems, regardless of the technological platform used.

Date: 2016-05-13
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Securing America's Internet Domains Act of 2016

This bill requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to exercise an option to extend through September 30, 2019, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions contract (a contract between the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers [ICANN] under which ICANN is required to perform IANA functions), unless the Assistant Secretary certifies to Congress that the U.S. government has:

 secured sole ownership of the .gov and .mil top-level domains, and entered into a contract with ICANN that provides the United States with exclusive control and use of such domains in perpetuity.

Date: 2016-05-25
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Protecting Internet Freedom Act

This bill prohibits the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information from allowing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's responsibility for Internet domain name system functions, including the authoritative root zone file and the performance of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority functions, to cease unless a federal statute enacted after enactment of this bill expressly grants the Assistant Secretary such authority.

The Assistant Secretary must certify to Congress that the U.S. government has: (1) secured sole ownership of the .gov and .mil top-level domains, and (2) entered into a contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers that provides the U.S. government with exclusive control and use of those domains in perpetuity.

Date: 2016-06-09
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
End Taxpayer Funded Cell Phones Act of 2016

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.

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.

Date: 2016-06-16
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Cell Phone Theft Prevention Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit commercial mobile or data service providers from providing service on smart phones that: (1) have been reported to such provider as stolen by an authorized user, or (2) are listed as stolen on the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR). When a smart phone is reported stolen to a service provider, the provider must notify the CEIR with information necessary to identify the phone.

Smart phones must be equipped with: (1) preloaded antitheft functionality at no additional cost to purchasers, or be capable of downloading such functionality at no cost; and (2) a mobile device identification number.

A criminal penalty is established for anyone who violates prohibitions against: (1) removing, obliterating, tampering with, or altering a smart phone's mobile device identification number; (2) using, producing, trafficking in, having control or custody of, or possessing hardware or software, knowing it has been configured to engage in such identification number removal or alteration violations; or (3) selling a smart phone for which the identification number is listed as stolen on the CEIR.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Precision Farming Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to require the Department of Agriculture to give priority to loan applicants that offer to provide broadband service, at better than the minimum acceptable level of broadband service, to agricultural producers in the proposed service territory to improve their ability to conduct precision farming or ranching. (Precision farming is a strategy that uses various technologies to manage production through data analysis and automation.)

The bill also amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide universal service support for the installation of broadband services to improve the ability of an agricultural producer to conduct precision farming or ranching. The bill requires broadband providers to install the services at a discount and makes the providers eligible for a reimbursement of the discount. Agricultural producers are limited to one discount that is the lesser of: (1) the amount that the provider would charge other parties for a similar installation, or (2) $15,000.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Agriculture and food
WiFi Capable Mobile Devices Act of 2016

This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue rules to ensure that providers of mobile broadband Internet access service supported through the Lifeline Assistance Program offer mobile devices that are capable of: (1) receiving WiFi or other wireless broadband signals using unlicensed spectrum, and (2) sharing a mobile service connection (commonly referred to as "tethering") with other compatible hardware or devices. (The Lifeline program provides discounts on telephone service to qualifying low-income consumers.)

The FCC must also provide incentives to such providers to work with schools and libraries to conduct outreach to those eligible for Lifeline assistance.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Community Broadband Act of 2016

This bill amends the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to bar states from prohibiting their state government, a political subdivision, or an Indian tribe from providing (i.e., serving as a "public provider" of) high-speed broadband telecommunications capabilities or services to persons or public or private entities.

A public provider that regulates competing private providers of such telecommunications services may not discriminate in favor of itself or a provider that it owns.

Date: 2016-09-13
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act of 2016

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to release a notice of inquiry that seeks public comment on the development of rules to promote broadband Internet access service for veterans, in particular those with low-incomes or who reside in rural areas.

Date: 2016-09-26
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Improving Broadband Access for Veterans Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to submit to Congress a report on promoting broadband Internet access service for veterans, in particular low-income veterans and veterans residing in rural areas.

 In preparing the report, the FCC shall provide the public with notice and an opportunity to comment.

Date: 2016-11-29
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015

Directs the Federal Communications Commission to promulgate regulations that prohibit broadband providers, in transmitting network traffic over the broadband Internet access service of an end user, from: (1) entering an agreement with an edge provider (a provider of Internet content, applications, services, or access devices) to give preferential treatment or priority to the traffic of such edge provider in exchange for consideration (commonly referred to as "paid prioritization"); and (2) giving preferential treatment or priority to content, applications, services, or devices that are provided or operated by such broadband provider or an affiliate of such broadband provider.

Prohibits this Act from superseding any obligation or authorization of a broadband provider to address the needs of emergency communications, law enforcement, public safety, or national security authorities.

Sets forth enforcement authority under the Communications Act of 1934, with modified forfeiture standards.

Date: 2015-01-07
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Ending Mobile Phone Welfare Act of 2015

Prohibits a provider of commercial mobile communications service from receiving universal service support under specified provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 for the provision of such service through the Federal Communications Commission's Lifeline program that provides discounts on monthly telephone service to qualifying low-income consumers.

Date: 2015-01-07
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Telephone Excise Tax Elimination Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the excise tax on communication services (i.e., local telephone service, toll telephone service, and teletypewriter exchange service).

Date: 2015-01-07
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Taxation
Rural Spectrum Accessibility Act of 2015

Directs the Federal Communications Commission to establish a program under which a wireless carrier receiving a license under specified provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 may partition or disaggregate the license in order to make unused spectrum available to small carriers or carriers serving certain rural areas.

Defines "small carrier" as a carrier with not more than 1,500 employees as calculated under regulatory standards used by the Small Business Administration to determine the number of individuals employed by a business concern on a full-time, part-time, or other basis.

Provides carriers receiving such licenses and participating in the program with a three-year extension of licenses granted under this Act.

Date: 2015-02-09
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
USF Equitable Distribution Act of 2015

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require at least 75% of all amounts collected by interstate telecommunications providers from consumers in a rural state for the purpose of making certain contributions to universal service funds established by the Federal Communications Commission to be allocated to consumers in that rural state.

Defines "rural state" as a state in which the total population density is not more than 200 people per square mile, as determined by the latest available decennial census.

Prohibits this Act from being construed to require an increase in amounts collected by interstate telecommunications providers from consumers for the purpose of making such contributions.

Date: 2015-03-12
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require intermediate providers that offer the capability to transmit voice communications and signaling information from one destination to another, and that charge a rate to any other entity (including an affiliated entity) for such a transmission, to: (1) register with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and (2) comply with service quality standards to be established by the FCC.

An "intermediate provider" is an entity that: (1) enters a business arrangement with a long-distance voice service provider that makes the initial call path choice for more than 100,000 domestic retail subscriber lines, or with another intermediate provider, to carry, route, or transmit voice traffic from a call placed from or to an end user connection using a North American Numbering Plan resource; and (2) does not itself (directly or in conjunction with an affiliate) serve as such a long-distance initial call path choice provider in the context of originating or terminating a given call.

The bill prohibits such long-distance providers (including local exchange carriers, interexchange carriers, commercial mobile radio services, interconnected voice over Internet Protocol [VoIP] services, and certain non-interconnected VoIP services) from using an intermediate provider to transmit voice communications and signals unless the intermediate provider is so registered.

The FCC must: (1) ensure the integrity of the transmission of voice communications to all customers in the United States, (2) prevent unjust or unreasonable discrimination among areas of the United States in the delivery of such voice communications, and (3) make a registry of intermediate providers publicly available on the FCC website.

The bill shall not be construed to preempt or expand the authority of a state agency or public utility commission to collect data, or enforce state law and regulations, regarding the completion of intrastate voice communications.

Certain long-distance providers that make initial call path choices are exempt from service quality standards that the FCC is required to establish under this bill if they certify under a safe harbor provision in existing FCC rules that they monitor the performance of, or do not use, intermediate providers.

Date: 2015-03-19
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Federal Spectrum Incentive Act of 2015

Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to allow federal entities that utilize government station licenses to participate in the incentive auction program under which licensees of electromagnetic spectrum voluntarily relinquish their spectrum rights in order for such spectrum to be auctioned for a repurposed commercial use in exchange for a percentage of the auction proceeds.

Permits such federal entities, instead of being reimbursed for the costs of sharing frequencies with nonfederal users or relocating to other frequencies as provided for under current law, to receive a percentage of the proceeds from spectrum it relinquishes for auction by electing to: (1) discontinue operations on eligible frequencies without relocating to other frequencies, or (2) relocate operations to frequencies assigned to another federal entity in order for such entities to share frequencies.

Establishes in the Treasury a Federal Spectrum Incentive Fund to be administered by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in consultation with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Requires 1% of the proceeds from such auctions to be deposited in such Fund and the remainder to be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury for the sole purpose of deficit reduction.

Directs OMB to transfer from the Fund to a federal entity a specified amount attributable to the auction of frequencies vacated by such entity. Permits federal entities to use such amounts for: (1) any purposes permitted under the terms and conditions of an appropriations account for which budgetary resources were canceled for a fiscal year under a sequestration order under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, provided that the amount used does not exceed the amount by which the account was reduced under the sequestration order for such fiscal year; or (2) a transfer of amounts to an incumbent federal entity for such purposes when the federal entity relinquishing spectrum relocates its operations to frequencies assigned to another federal entity in order to share frequencies.

Date: 2015-03-26
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Wireless Telecommunications Tax and Fee Collection Fairness Act of 2015

Prohibits a state or a local jurisdiction from requiring a person to collect from, or remit on behalf of, any other person a state or local tax, fee, or surcharge imposed on the purchase or use of any wireless telecommunications service within the state unless the collection or remittance is in connection with a financial transaction between: (1) the person that the state or local jurisdiction requires to collect or remit the tax, fee, or surcharge; and (2) the purchaser or user of the wireless telecommunications service. Allows any person who is aggrieved by a violation of such prohibition to bring a civil action in U.S. district court for equitable relief.

Date: 2015-05-07
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Taxation
This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study the effects of forward capacity auctions or other capacity mechanisms established by Independent System Operators or Regional Transmission Organizations with respect to:

 consumer prices for electricity; installation of new electrical generation systems; preservation of existing electrical generation systems; and competition in energy markets, including the potential for the use of undue market power or manipulation in the auctions. The report to Congress on the study must assess whether the auctions or capacity mechanisms are producing rates that are just and reasonable.

Date: 2015-05-11
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Energy
Broadband Adoption Act of 2015

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to adopt a final rule establishing support under the Universal Service Fund Lifeline Assistance Program for qualifying low-income consumers in urban and rural areas to purchase broadband Internet access service at reduced charges by reimbursing participating providers for each such consumer served.

Requires the program to allow qualifying consumers to elect to apply support from the Lifeline program to basic telephone service, voice telephony service, or broadband Internet access service, regardless of whether the service is purchased as a stand-alone service or in a bundle.

Directs the FCC to consult with the federal-state joint board on universal service regarding ways to encourage states to develop programs in conjunction with the Lifeline program.

Requires the program to be technology neutral to promote competition from service providers.

Requires participating broadband Internet access service providers to obtain FCC authorization to participate in the Lifeline program, but a provider is not required to be an eligible telecommunications carrier to receive support under the program.

Directs the FCC to: (1) adopt regulations to prevent receipt of duplicative support under the Lifeline program, and (2) establish a national database to determine consumer eligibility.

Date: 2015-06-01
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Robocall and Call Spoofing Enforcement Improvements Act of 2015

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to impose forfeiture penalties without first sending a citation regarding the charged violation against persons not licensed by the FCC who violate prohibitions on the use of automated telephone equipment. (Currently, if existing exceptions do not apply, forfeiture penalties may not be imposed unless the person is sent a citation prior to a notice of apparent liability and that person subsequently engages in the same type of conduct described in the citation.)

Expands the statute of limitations period and increases the maximum forfeiture penalty applicable to non-licensed automated telephone equipment violations.

Expands prohibitions on the provision of inaccurate caller identification information to persons outside the United States if the recipient is within the United States.

Directs providers of spoofing services to take such steps as the FCC may prescribe to verify that users do not engage in caller identification information violations. Defines "spoofing service" as a service that substitutes, or permits a user to substitute, another name or any number for display as the caller identification information for a call or text message.

Requires the FCC to impose recordkeeping and reporting obligations on spoofing service providers. Authorizes the FCC to subpoena caller identification information transmitted by a subscriber to or customer of the spoofing service.

Expands the definition "caller identification information" to include text messages.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) telecommunications carriers have the legal authority to offer consumers services that block or filter robocalls, and (2) the federal government should encourage telecommunications carriers to develop and implement such services.

Date: 2015-06-10
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Requires the Federal Communications Commission to submit a quarterly report to Congress regarding the Lifeline program, which provides discounts on telephone service to qualifying low-income consumers. Requires the reports to include: (1) aggregate expenditures on the program; (2) a list of each payment made to a participating telecommunications carrier for the provision of service through the program, including, in the case of a participating carrier that is reimbursed for the provision of service to both wireless and wireline subscribers, the amount of the payment that corresponds to each type of service; and (3) the average cost per subscriber, across all the participating carriers, to provide the service that the program subsidizes, broken down by wireless and wireline subscribers and averaged per subscriber.

Date: 2015-06-10
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Quell Unnecessary, Intentional, and Encroaching Telephone Calls Act of 2014 or the QUIET Act 

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly initiate a commercial robocall, without the prior written consent of the recipient, from within the United States or to a recipient within the United States. The prohibition does not apply to emergency or health-related calls or calls from charitable organizations.

The bill defines "commercial robocall" as a telephone call made using an automatic dialing system or artificial or prerecorded voice to solicit or encourage the purchase of property, goods, or services.

Violators are subject to fines up to $20,000 per violation and/or up to 10 years in prison.

Date: 2015-06-25
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Amateur Radio Parity Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to amend regulations concerning the height and dimensions of station antenna structures to prohibit a private land use restriction from applying to amateur service communications if the restriction precludes such communications, fails to accommodate such communications, or does not constitute the minimum practicable restriction to accomplish the legitimate purpose of the private entity seeking to enforce the restriction.

Date: 2015-06-25
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Phone Scam Prevention Act of 2015

Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publish on its website a report that identifies existing technologies that consumers can use to protect against misleading or inaccurate caller identification information.

Requires the FCC, within one year after enactment of this Act, to submit to Congress a report detailing a plan to expeditiously develop, within six years after submission of such report, reasonable authentication standards for voice service providers to validate caller information so that subscribers may obtain secure assurances of a call's origin, including the calling party's number and identification.

Extends the prohibition on the provision of inaccurate caller identification information to persons outside the United States if the recipient is within the United States.

Expands the definition of "caller identification information" to include text messages.

Revises caller identification requirements to make standards applicable to voice communications using resources from the North American Numbering Plan (currently, the requirements apply to telecommunications or IP-enabled voice services).

Date: 2015-07-14
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Spectrum Relocation Fund Act of 2015

This bill amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to make amounts available from the Spectrum Relocation Fund (SRF) for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to pay federal entities for research and development activities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their use of electromagnetic spectrum under government station licenses in order to make frequencies available for: (1) reallocation for nonfederal use, shared federal and nonfederal use, or a combination of such uses; and (2) auctions in accordance with such reallocation.

As a condition to the OMB paying a federal entity for such activities, the federal entity must have a plan: (1) approved by a technical panel within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and (2) submitted by the OMB to the appropriate congressional committees for a period of 60 days.

The bill also provides for incumbent federal entities to receive payment from the SRF for relocation and sharing costs incurred to accommodate sharing spectrum frequencies assigned to such entity with another federal entity the operations of which are being relocated from other frequencies.

Date: 2015-10-27
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Private Spectrum Relocation Funding Act of 2015 

 

This bill amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to allow a federal entity to receive payment or reimbursement from a private entity to accelerate implementation of a transition plan deemed sufficient by a technical panel within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for federally used frequencies of electromagnetic spectrum to be relocated or shared to make spectrum available for auction or for other commercial or nonfederal use.

 

To collect or receive such a payment or reimbursement, the technical panel must approve a federal entity's proposal with a finding that: (1) the activities funded by the payment are reasonably likely to materially accelerate implementation of the transition plan or commercial or other nonfederal use of spectrum subject to such plan, and (2) such implementation or use would not be achieved without the private entity's payment.

Date: 2015-11-03
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Kari's Law Act of 2016



This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require multi-line telephone systems to have a default configuration that allows users to directly initiate a call to 9-1-1 (without dialing any additional digit, code, prefix, or post-fix, including any trunk-access code such as the digit "9") from any station equipped with dialing facilities.

Businesses installing such systems must configure the systems to provide a notification to a central location at the facility where the system is installed when a person at the facility initiates a call to 9-1-1 using the system, provided that the system is able to be so configured without an improvement to the hardware.

Date: 2016-02-11
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Spoofing Prevention Act of 2016

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to expand the prohibition against knowingly transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller identification information to apply to: (1) persons outside the United States if the recipient of the call is within the United States, and (2) text messages. Existing caller identification requirements that apply to calls made using a telecommunications service or IP-enabled voice service are revised to apply to voice communications using resources from the North American Numbering Plan.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must publish on its website a report that identifies existing technologies that consumers can use to protect against misleading or inaccurate caller identification information.

The Government Accountability Office must report on: (1) actions taken, or actions that could be taken, by the FCC or the Federal Trade Commission to combat the fraudulent provision of misleading or inaccurate caller identification information; and (2) any recommendations to combat the fraudulent provision of such information.

Date: 2016-02-22
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Kelsey Smith Act

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a mobile or Internet voice service provider to disclose, at the request of an investigative or law enforcement officer, the call location information of a device that is: (1) used to place a 911 call, or (2) reasonably believed to be in the possession of an individual who is in an emergency situation that involves a risk of death or serious physical harm.

Additionally, the bill prohibits a civil action or administrative proceeding against a telecommunications carrier who discloses call location information in good faith in accordance with this bill.

Date: 2016-04-11
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that voluntary policies outlined in the Wireless Network Resiliency Cooperative Framework should be adhered to by all parties to aid consumers, 9-1-1 professionals, first responders, and local governments in accessing communication services during emergencies.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must publish a study on the public safety benefits, technical feasibility, and cost of providing the public with access to 9-1-1 services during times of emergency when mobile service is unavailable, through:

 telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points and other communications technologies operating on unlicensed spectrum, without requiring any login credentials; non-telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi access points; and other alternative means. The types of emergencies subject to this bill are: (1) occasions or instances under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for which the President determines that federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States; or (2) an emergency declared by the governor of a state or U.S. territory.

The FCC's study must consider communications network provider liability, network operational security, and any existing actions or authorities among the states.

The Government Accountability Office must report on: (1) how executive departments can better ensure that essential communications services remain operational during emergencies, and (2) whether a nationwide directory of points of contact among providers of essential communications services is needed to facilitate the rapid restoration of services damaged during emergencies.

The Stafford Act is amended to expand the categories of essential communications service providers that may access a disaster site to restore and repair essential services in an emergency or major disaster without being denied or impeded by a federal agency. Services to be considered essential are wireline or mobile telephone service, Internet access service, radio or television broadcasting, cable service, or direct broadcast satellite service.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must encourage the adoption of mutual aid agreements recognizing the credentials of essential service providers issued by all parties to such an agreement.

At the direction of the President, federal agencies may provide assistance essential to meeting immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster by allowing access to essential service providers for establishing temporary, or restoring, communications services.

Date: 2016-05-26
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Repeated Objectionable Bothering of Consumers on Phones Act or the ROBOCOP Act

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to expand the prohibition against knowingly transmitting inaccurate caller identification information to apply to: (1) persons outside the United States if the recipient is within the United States, or (2) text messages.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must prescribe regulations that require providers of telecommunications services or IP-enabled voice services, for no additional charge, to enable technology for: (1) subscribers originating a telephone call to verify the accuracy of their caller identification information; and (2) subscribers receiving a call to use, with the option to disable, technology to determine whether an incoming call is verified as providing caller identification information that accurately identifies the person originating the call and to prevent the subscriber from receiving a call that is not verified. Service providers must also offer a free option for subscribers receiving a call to: (1) identify a call as originating from an automatic telephone dialing system or as using an artificial or prerecorded voice, and (2) prevent themselves from receiving such a call unless it is made by a public safety entity or the subscriber provides prior consent to receive the call.

The FCC must provide an exemption process for subscribers originating a call to demonstrate: (1) their legitimate need to provide misleading or inaccurate information (such as a call to conduct an activity of a domestic violence shelter or medical practice), or (2) that the FCC has exempted a call for law enforcement purposes or because of a court order.

The bill allows private actions to enjoin or recover damages for violations of the FCC's caller identification technology standards. States may bring civil actions for a pattern or practice of a failure to provide such technology or options.

The bill also subjects to civil forfeiture penalties, criminal fines, or state actions persons who intentionally cause call-blocking technology to: (1) incorrectly identify calls as originating from an automatic dialing system or using an artificial or prerecorded voice, or (2) prevent the called party from receiving a call made by a public safety entity or a call to which it has provided its prior consent.

Date: 2016-06-07
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Protecting Internet Freedom Act

This bill prohibits the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information from allowing the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's responsibility for Internet domain name system functions, including the authoritative root zone file and the performance of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority functions, to cease unless a federal statute enacted after enactment of this bill expressly grants the Assistant Secretary such authority.

The Assistant Secretary must certify to Congress that the U.S. government has: (1) secured sole ownership of the .gov and .mil top-level domains, and (2) entered into a contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers that provides the U.S. government with exclusive control and use of those domains in perpetuity.

Date: 2016-06-08
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act of 2016 or the B-CROP Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to include grants in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides loans and loan guarantees for broadband telecommunications services in rural areas.

In making grants, loans, or loan guarantees under the program, USDA must give the highest priority to applicants that offer to provide broadband service to the greatest proportion of unserved rural households or rural households that do not have the minimum acceptable level of residential broadband service.

USDA must then give priority to projects to serve rural communities that:

 have a population of less than 10,000 permanent residents, are experiencing out-migration, have a high percentage of low-income residents, and are isolated from other significant population centers. A grant may not exceed 50% of the development cost of the project. USDA may increase the limit to 75% for projects that serve a remote or low-income area that does not have access to broadband service from any provider.

USDA must: (1) provide technical assistance and training to entities that are eligible for the loans, loan guarantees, or grants; and (2) use a specified portion of the appropriations provided for the program for this purpose.

The bill sets forth reporting requirements for recipients of the grants, loans, or loan guarantees.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Technology (Telecommunications)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Amends the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 to require guidelines on government use of the metric system of measurement to require any federal agency transaction providing for a person to perform scientific or engineering research with federal funding to include provisions: (1) clearly identifying the extent to which such system or other systems of measurement will be used under the transaction and requiring such use; and (2) assigning such person the financial responsibility for failure to follow such requirements.

Date: 2007-01-05
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Research and Development Tax Credit Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify the tax credit for increasing research expenses to establish a standard 20% credit rate for research expenses exceeding 50% of average expenses over the preceding three year period; (2) establish a uniform 80% reimbursement rate for all contract research expenses (100% for basic research payments); (3) make such tax credit permanent; (4) allow a tax credit for equity investments in small business innovation companies; and (5) allow the issuance of tax exempt facility bonds for research park facilities used in connection with research and experimentation.Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) study and report to Congress on taxpayer compliance with the substantiation requirements for claiming the tax credit for increasing research activities; and (2) issue regulations on the application of private activity bond rules to the funding of federal research agreements.

Date: 2007-03-27
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Taxation
Investment in America Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase from 12 to 20% the rate of the alternative simplified tax credit for research expenses; (2) make permanent the tax credit for increasing research activities; and (3) repeal the alternative incremental tax credit for research expenses.

Date: 2007-05-03
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Taxation
Increases to 15% (currently 5%) of a government-owned contractor-operated facility's annual budget, for facilities with annual budgets of less than $40 million, the amount of money from royalties or income earned during any fiscal year from a patent for a subject invention under a funding agreement that a nonprofit organization can keep for scientific research, development, and education consistent with the research and development mission and objectives of the facility.

Date: 2007-07-24
Topic: Technology (R&D)
Subject: Commerce