[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1542 Engrossed in House (EH)]
2d Session
H. R. 1542
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To deregulate the Internet and high speed data services, and for other
purposes.
107th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 1542
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To deregulate the Internet and high speed data services, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Internet Freedom and Broadband
Deployment Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Internet access services are inherently interstate and
international in nature, and should therefore not be subject to
regulation by the States.
(2) The imposition of regulations by the Federal
Communications Commission and the States has impeded the rapid
delivery of high speed Internet access services and Internet
backbone services to the public, thereby reducing consumer
choice and welfare.
(3) The Telecommunications Act of 1996 represented a
careful balance between the need to open up local
telecommunications markets to competition and the need to
increase competition in the provision of interLATA voice
telecommunications services.
(4) In enacting the prohibition on Bell operating company
provision of interLATA services, Congress recognized that
certain telecommunications services have characteristics that
render them incompatible with the prohibition on Bell operating
company provision of interLATA services, and exempted such
services from the interLATA prohibition.
(5) High speed data services and Internet backbone services
constitute unique markets that are likewise incompatible with
the prohibition on Bell operating company provision of
interLATA services.
(6) Since the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of
1996, the Federal Communications Commission has construed the
prohibition on Bell operating company provision of interLATA
services in a manner that has impeded the development of
advanced telecommunications services, thereby limiting consumer
choice and welfare.
(7) Internet users should have choice among competing
Internet service providers.
(8) Internet service providers should have the right to
interconnect with high speed data networks in order to provide
service to Internet users.
(b) Purposes.--It is therefore the purpose of this Act to provide
market incentives for the rapid delivery of advanced telecommunications
services--
(1) by deregulating high speed data services, Internet
backbone services, and Internet access services;
(2) by clarifying that the prohibition on Bell operating
company provision of interLATA services does not extend to the
provision of high speed data services and Internet backbone
services;
(3) by ensuring that consumers can choose among competing
Internet service providers; and
(4) by ensuring that Internet service providers can
interconnect with competitive high speed data networks in order
to provide Internet access service to the public.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS
(a) Amendments.--Section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 153) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (20) as paragraph (21);
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (21) through (52) as
paragraphs (26) through (57), respectively;
(3) by inserting after paragraph (19) the following new
paragraph:
``(20) High speed data service.--The term `high speed data
service' means any service that consists of or includes the
offering of a capability to transmit, using a packet-switched
or successor technology, information at a rate that is
generally not less than 384 kilobits per second in at least one
direction. Such term does not include special access service
offered through dedicated transport links between a customer's
premises and an interexchange carrier's switch or point of
presence.'';
(4) by inserting after paragraph (21) the following new
paragraphs:
``(22) Internet.--The term `Internet' means collectively
the myriad of computer and telecommunications facilities,
including equipment and operating software, which comprise the
interconnected world-wide network of networks that employ the
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, or any
predecessor or successor protocols to such protocol, to
communicate information of all kinds by wire or radio.
``(23) Internet access service.--The term `Internet access
service' means a service that combines computer processing,
information storage, protocol conversion, and routing with
transmission to enable users to access Internet content and
services.
``(24) Internet backbone.--The term `Internet backbone'
means a network that carries Internet traffic over high-
capacity long-haul transmission facilities and that is
interconnected with other such networks via private peering
relationships.
``(25) Internet backbone service.--The term `Internet
backbone service' means any interLATA service that consists of
or includes the transmission by means of an Internet backbone
of any packets, and shall include related local
connectivity.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 230(f) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 230(f)) is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (1); and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as
paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively.
(2) Section 223(h)(2) of such Act (47 U.S.C. 223(h)(2)) is
amended by striking ``230(f)(2)'' and inserting ``230(f)(1)''.
SEC. 4. LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY TO REGULATE HIGH SPEED DATA SERVICES.
(a) In General.--Part I of title II of the Communications Act of
1934 (47 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``SEC. 232. PROVISION OF HIGH SPEED DATA SERVICES.
``(a) Freedom From Regulation.--Except to the extent that high
speed data service, Internet backbone service, and Internet access
service are expressly referred to in this Act, neither the Commission,
nor any State, shall have authority to regulate the rates, charges,
terms, or conditions for, or entry into the provision of, any high
speed data service, Internet backbone service, or Internet access
service; nor shall the Commission impose or require the collection of
any fees, taxes, charges, or tariffs upon such service that is not
imposed or required on the date of enactment of this section.
``(b) Savings Provision.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit or affect the authority of any State to regulate
circuit-switched telephone exchange services, nor affect the rights of
cable franchise authorities to establish requirements that are
otherwise consistent with this Act.
``(c) Continued Enforcement of ESP Exemption, Universal Service
Rules Permitted.--Nothing in this section shall affect the ability of
the Commission to retain or modify--
``(1) the exemption from interstate access charges for
enhanced service providers under Part 69 of the Commission's
regulations, and the requirements of the MTS/WATS Market
Structure Order (97 FCC 2d 682, 715 (1983)); or
``(2) rules issued pursuant to section 254.
``(d) Additional Commission Authority Preserved.--Notwithstanding
subsection (a), such subsection shall not restrict or affect in any way
the authority of the Commission--
``(1) to adopt regulations to prohibit unsolicited
commercial e-mail messages;
``(2) to regulate changes in subscriber carrier selections
or the imposition of charges on telephone bills for
unauthorized services; or
``(3) with respect to--
``(A) customer proprietary network information, as
provided in section 222;
``(B) with respect to rules and procedures adopted
pursuant to section 223 to restrict the provision of
pornography to minors and unconsenting adults; or
``(C) with respect to access by persons with
disabilities, as provided in section 255.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 251 of the Communications Act of
1934 (47 U.S.C. 251) is amended by adding at the end thereof the
following new subsection:
``(j) Guaranteed Access to Consumers for CLECs.--
``(1) Access rules.--
``(A) Preservation of rules guaranteeing clec
access to incumbent carrier facilities.--Except as
provided in subparagraph (E), the Commission is not
required to repeal or modify the regulations in effect
on May 24, 2001, that enable a requesting carrier to
use the facilities of an incumbent local exchange
carrier to provide high speed data services.
``(B) Transport services available to clecs.--
``(i) Offering required.--If an incumbent
local exchange carrier provides high-speed data
services over a fiber local loop or fiber
feeder subloop, that carrier shall offer, over
such loop or subloop for delivery at the
incumbent local exchange carrier's serving
central office, a high speed data service that
is provided by such carrier utilizing an
industry-standard protocol.
``(ii) Transmission options.--Such service
shall enable a requesting carrier to transmit
information over an incumbent local exchange
carrier's facilities between that incumbent
local exchange carrier's serving central office
and (I) a customer's premises served by that
serving central office; (II) a remote terminal
supplied by the requesting carrier; or (III) a
high frequency portion of the copper subloop
obtained by such requesting carrier pursuant to
the provisions of subsection (c)(3).
``(iii) Rates, terms, and conditions.--Such
high speed data service shall be offered on
rates, terms, and conditions that are just and
reasonable in accordance with section 201(b).
For such purposes, such high speed data service
shall be deemed a nondominant service.
``(iv) Serving central office definition.--
For the purpose of this subparagraph, the term
`serving central office' means the centralized
location where the incumbent local exchange
carrier has elected to provide access to the
high speed data service required by this
subparagraph.
``(C) Space adjacent to an incumbent's remote
terminal.--Subparagraph (E)(iii) does not relieve an
incumbent carrier of any obligation under regulations
in effect on May 24, 2001, to provide space adjacent to
its remote terminal to a requesting carrier so that the
requesting carrier may construct its own remote
terminal.
``(D) Clec access to incumbent carrier rights-of-
way.--Any incumbent local exchange carrier has the duty
to afford access to its poles, conduits, and rights-of-
way in accordance with subsection (b)(4) for provision
of high speed data service.
``(E) Scope.--Notwithstanding any provision of law,
neither the Commission nor any State shall--
``(i) require an incumbent local exchange
carrier to provide unbundled access in
accordance with subsection (c)(3) to any packet
switching network element;
``(ii) require an incumbent local exchange
carrier to provide, for the provision of high
speed data service, access on an unbundled
basis in accordance with subsection (c)(3) to
any fiber local loop or fiber feeder subloop;
or
``(iii) require an incumbent local exchange
carrier to provide for collocation in
accordance with subsection (c)(6) in a remote
terminal, or to construct or make available
space in a remote terminal.
``(F) Reinterpretation.--Consistent with
subparagraph (E), neither the Commission nor any State
shall construe, interpret, or apply this section in
such a manner as to expand an incumbent local exchange
carrier's obligation, as in effect on May 24, 2001, to
provide access in accordance with subsection (c)(3) to
any network element for the provision of high speed
data service, or to provide collocation in accordance
with subsection (c)(6) for the provision of high speed
data service.
``(G) Authority to reduce elements subject to
requirement.--This paragraph shall not prohibit the
Commission from modifying the regulation referred to in
subparagraph (B) to reduce the number of network
elements subject to the unbundling requirement, or to
forbear from enforcing any portion of that regulation
in accordance with the Commission's authority under
section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996,
notwithstanding any limitation on that authority in
section 10 of this Act.
``(H) Prohibition on discriminatory subsidies.--Any
network element used in the provision of high speed
data service that is not subject to the requirements of
subsection (c) shall not be entitled to any subsidy,
including any subsidy pursuant to section 254, that is
not provided on a nondiscriminatory basis to all
providers of high speed data service and Internet
access service. This prohibition on discriminatory
subsidies shall not be interpreted to authorize or
require the extension of any subsidy to any provider of
high speed data service or Internet access service.
``(2) Resale.--For a period of three years after the
enactment of this subsection, an incumbent local exchange
carrier that provides high speed data service shall have a duty
to offer for resale any such service at wholesale rates in
accordance with subsection (c)(4). After such three-year
period, such carrier shall offer such services for resale
pursuant to subsection (b)(1).
``(3) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
``(A) the term `fiber feeder subloop' means the
entirely fiber optic cable portion of the local loop
between the feeder/distribution interface (or its
equivalent) and a distribution frame (or its
equivalent) in an incumbent local exchange carrier
central office, including all features, functions, and
capabilities of such portion of the local loop;
``(B) the term `fiber local loop' means an entirely
fiber optic cable transmission facility, including all
features, functions, and capabilities of such
transmission facility, between a distribution frame (or
its equivalent) in an incumbent local exchange carrier
central office and the loop demarcation point at an
end-user customer premise;
``(C) the term `packet switching network element'--
``(i) means a network element that
performs, or offers the capability to perform--
``(I) the basic packet switching
function of routing or forwarding
packets, frames, cells, or other data
units based on address or other routing
information contained in the packets,
frames, cells, or other data units,
including the functions that are
performed by digital subscriber line
access multiplexers; or
``(II) any successor to the
functions described in clause (i);
``(ii) includes such element on a stand-
alone basis, or as a part of a combination with
one or more other network elements; and
``(iii) does not include elements of the
signaling system 7 network transmitting
signaling information between switching points;
``(D) the term `remote terminal' means a controlled
environment hut, controlled environment vault, cabinet,
or other structure at a remote location between the
central office and a customer's premises; and
``(E) the term `signaling system 7 network' means
the network that uses signaling links to transmit
routing messages between switches and between switches
and call related data bases.''.
(c) Preservation of Existing Interconnection Agreements.--Nothing
in the amendments made by this section--
(1) shall be construed to permit or require the abrogation
or modification of any interconnection agreement in effect on
the date of enactment of this section during the term of such
agreement, except that this paragraph shall not apply to any
interconnection agreement beyond the expiration date of the
existing current term contained in such agreement on the date
of enactment of this section, without regard to any extension
or renewal of such agreement; or
(2) affects the implementation of any change of law
provision in any such agreement.
SEC. 5. INTERNET CONSUMERS FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
Part I of title II of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by
section 4, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 233. INTERNET CONSUMERS FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to ensure that
Internet users have freedom of choice of Internet service provider.
``(b) Obligations of Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers.--Each
incumbent local exchange carrier has the duty to provide--
``(1) Internet users with the ability to subscribe to and
have access to any Internet service provider that interconnects
with such carrier's high speed data service;
``(2) any Internet service provider with the right to
acquire the facilities and services necessary to interconnect
with such carrier's high speed data service for the provision
of Internet access service;
``(3) any Internet service provider with the ability to
collocate equipment in accordance with the provisions of
section 251, to the extent necessary to achieve the objectives
of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection; and
``(4) any provider of high speed data services, Internet
backbone service, or Internet access service with special
access for the provision of Internet access service within a
period no longer than the period in which such incumbent local
exchange carrier provides special access to itself or any
affiliate for the provision of such service.
``(c) Definitions.--As used in this section--
``(1) Internet service provider.--The term `Internet
service provider' means any provider of Internet access
service.
``(2) Incumbent local exchange carrier.--The term
`incumbent local exchange carrier' has the same meaning as
provided in section 251(h).
``(3) Special access service.--The term `special access
service' means the provision of dedicated transport links
between a customer's premises and the switch or point of
presence of a high speed data service provider, Internet
backbone service provider, or Internet service provider.''.
SEC. 6. INCIDENTAL INTERLATA PROVISION OF HIGH SPEED DATA AND INTERNET
BACKBONE SERVICES.
(a) Incidental InterLATA Service Permitted.--Section 271(g) of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 271(g)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``or'' at the end of paragraph (5);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (6) and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end thereof the following new
paragraph:
``(7) of high speed data service or Internet backbone
service.''.
(b) Prohibition on Provision of Voice Telephone Services.--Section
271 of such Act is amended by adding at the end thereof the following
new subsection:
``(k) Prohibition on Provision of Voice Telephone Services.--Until
the date on which a Bell operating company is authorized to offer
interLATA services originating in an in-region State in accordance with
the provisions of this section, such Bell operating company offering
any high speed data service or Internet backbone service pursuant to
the provisions of paragraph (7) of subsection (g) may not, in such in-
region State provide interLATA voice telecommunications service,
regardless of whether there is a charge for such service, by means of
the high speed data service or Internet backbone service provided by
such company.''.
(c) Notice to Attorney General.--Section 271 of such Act is further
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(l) Notice to Attorney General.--
``(1) Statement required.--Not less than 30 days before
commencing to offer any interLATA high speed data service or
Internet backbone service originating in an in-region State
pursuant to paragraph (7) of subsection (g), a Bell operating
company shall submit to the Attorney General a statement that--
``(A) expresses the intention to commence providing
such service in such State;
``(B) provides a description of the service to be
offered; and
``(C) identifies the geographic region within the
State in which the service will be offered, if the
service is not going to be offered Statewide.
``(2) Additional contents prohibited.--The Attorney General
may not require a statement under this subsection to contain
any additional information other than that specified in
subparagraph (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1).
``(3) Confidential treatment of statements.--A statement
submitted to the Attorney General under this subsection shall
be exempt from disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United
States Code, and no such statement may be made public, except
as may be relevant to any administrative or judicial action or
proceeding.''.
(d) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 272(a)(2)(B)(i) of such Act is amended to read
as follows:
``(i) incidental interLATA services
described in paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (5),
(6), and (7) of section 271(g);''.
(2) Section 272(a)(2)(C) of such Act is repealed.
SEC. 7. DEPLOYMENT OF BROADBAND SERVICES.
Part III of title II of the Communications Act of 1934 is amended
by inserting after section 276 (47 U.S.C. 276) the following new
section:
``SEC. 277. DEPLOYMENT OF BROADBAND SERVICES.
``(a) Deployment Required.--Each Bell operating company and its
affiliates shall deploy high speed data services in each State in which
such company or affiliate is an incumbent local exchange carrier (as
such term is defined in section 251(h)) in accordance with the
requirements of this section.
``(b) Deployment Requirements.--
``(1) Mileposts for deployment.--A Bell operating company
or its affiliate shall deploy high speed data services by
attaining high speed data capability in its central offices in
each State to which subsection (a) applies. Such company or
affiliate shall attain such capability in accordance with the
following schedule:
``(A) Within one year after the date of enactment
of this section, such company or affiliate shall attain
high speed data capability in not less than 20 percent
of such central offices in such State.
``(B) Within 2 years after the date of enactment of
this section, such company or affiliate shall attain
high speed data capability in not less than 40 percent
of such central offices in such State.
``(C) Within 3 years after the date of enactment of
this section, such company or affiliate shall attain
high speed data capability in not less than 70 percent
of such central offices in such State.
``(D) Within 5 years after the date of enactment of
this section, such company or affiliate shall attain
high speed data capability in not less than 100 percent
of such central offices in such State.
``(2) High speed data capability.--For purposes of
paragraph (1), a central office shall be considered to have
attained high speed capability if--
``(A)(i) such central office is equipped with high
speed data multiplexing capability; and
``(ii) each upgradeable customer loop that
originates or terminates in such central office is
upgraded promptly upon receipt of a customer request
for such upgrading, as necessary to permit transmission
of high speed data service (including any conditioning
of the loop);
``(B) each customer served by such central office
(without regard to the upgradeability or length of the
customer's loop) is able to obtain the provision of
high speed data service from such Bell operating
company or its affiliate by means of an alternative
technology that does not involve the use of the
customer's loop; or
``(C) each such customer is able to obtain the
provision of high speed data service by one or the
other of the means described in subparagraphs (A) and
(B).
``(3) Upgradeable loops.--For purposes of paragraph (2), a
customer loop is upgradeable if--
``(A) such loop is less than 15,000 feet in length
(from the central office to the customer's premises
along the line); and
``(B) such loop can, with or without conditioning,
transmit high speed data services without such
transmission on such loop causing significant
degradation of voice service.
``(c) Availability of Remedies.--
``(1) Forfeiture penalties.--A Bell operating company or
its affiliate that fails to comply with this section shall be
subject to the penalties provided in section 503(b)(2). In
determining whether to impose a forfeiture penalty, and in
determining the amount of any forfeiture penalty under section
503(b)(2)(D), the Commission shall take into consideration the
extent to which the requirements of this section are
technically infeasible.
``(2) Jurisdiction.--The Commission shall have exclusive
jurisdiction to enforce the requirements of this section,
except that any State commission may file a complaint with the
Commission seeking the imposition of penalties as provided in
paragraph (1).
``(d) Annual Report on Deployment.--
``(1) Analysis required.--The Commission shall include in
each of its annual reports submitted no more than 18 months
after the date of enactment of this section an analysis of the
deployment of high speed data service to underserved areas.
Such report shall include--
``(A) a statistical analysis of the extent to which
high speed data service has been deployed to central
offices and customer loops, or is available using
different technologies, as compared with the extent of
such deployment and availability prior to such date and
in prior reports under this subsection;
``(B) a breakdown of the delivery of high speed
data service by type of technology and class or
category of provider;
``(C) an identification of impediments to such
deployment and availability, and developments in
overcoming such impediments during the intervening
period between such reports; and
``(D) recommendations of the Commission, after
consultation with the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration, for further extending such
deployment and availability and overcoming such
impediments.
``(2) Definition of underserved area.--For purposes of
paragraph (1), the term `underserved areas' means areas that--
``(A) are high cost areas that are eligible for
services under subpart D of part 54 of the Commission's
regulations (47 C.F.R. 54.301 et seq.); or
``(B) are within or comprised of any census tract--
``(i) the poverty level of which is at
least 30 percent (based on the most recent
census data); or
``(ii) the median family income of which
does not exceed--
``(I) in the case of a census tract
located in a metropolitan statistical
area, 70 percent of the greater of the
metropolitan area median family income
or the statewide median family income;
and
``(II) in the case of a census
tract located in a nonmetropolitan
statistical area, 70 percent of the
nonmetropolitan statewide median family
income.
``(3) Designation of census tracts.--The Commission shall,
not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this
section, designate and publish those census tracts meeting the
criteria described in paragraph (2)(B).''.
SEC. 8. COMMISSION AUTHORIZED TO PRESCRIBE JUST AND REASONABLE CHARGES.
The Federal Communications Commission may impose penalties under
section 503 of the Communications Act of 1934 not to exceed $1,000,000
for any violation of provisions contained in, or amended by, section 5,
6, or 7 (or any combination thereof) of this Act. Each distinct
violation shall be a separate offense, and in the case of a continuing
violation, each day shall be deemed a separate offense, except that the
amount assessed for any continuing violation shall not exceed a total
of $10,000,000 for any single act or failure to act described in
section 5, 6, or 7 (or any combination thereof) of this Act.
SEC. 9. CLARIFICATION OF CONTINUING OPERATION OF ANTITRUST LAWS.
Section 601(b) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law
104-104; 110 Stat. 143) is amended by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(4) Continuing operation of the antitrust laws.--
Paragraph (1) shall be interpreted to mean that the antitrust
laws are--
``(A) not repealed by,
``(B) not precluded by,
``(C) not diminished by, and
``(D) not incompatible with,
the Communications Act of 1934, this Act, or any law amended by
either such Act.''.
SEC. 10. COMMON CARRIER ENFORCEMENT.
(a) Cease and Desist Authority.--Section 501 of the Communications
Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 501) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Any person'' and inserting ``(a) Fines
and Imprisonment.--Any person'';
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(b) Cease and Desist Orders.-- If, after a hearing, the
Commission determines that any common carrier is engaged in an act,
matter, or thing prohibited by this Act, or is failing to perform any
act, matter, or thing required by this Act, the Commission may order
such common carrier to cease or desist from such action or inaction.''.
(b) Forfeiture Penalties.--Section 503(b) of the Communications Act
of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 503(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(B)--
(A) by striking ``exceed $100,000'' and inserting
``exceed $1,000,000''; and
(B) by striking ``of $1,000,000'' and inserting
``of $10,000,000'';
(2) in paragraph (2)(C), by striking ``subparagraph (A) or
(B)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (A), (B), or (C)'';
(3) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph
(2) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2)
the following new subparagraph:
``(C) If a common carrier has violated a cease and desist order or
has previously been assessed a forfeiture penalty for a violation of a
provision of this Act or of any rule, regulation, or order issued by
the Commission, and if the Commission or an administrative law judge
determines that such common carrier has willfully violated the same
provision, rule, regulation, that this repeated violation has caused
harm to competition, and that such common carrier has been assessed a
forfeiture penalty under this subsection for such previous violation,
the Commission may assess a forfeiture penalty not to exceed $2,000,000
for each violation or each day of continuing violation; except that the
amount of such forfeiture penalty shall not exceed $20,000,000.''; and
(5) in paragraph (6)(B), by striking ``1 year'' and
inserting ``2 years''.
(c) Evaluation of Impact.--
(1) Evaluation required.--Within one year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission
shall conduct an evaluation of the impact of the increased
remedies available under the amendments made by this section on
improving compliance with the requirements of the
Communications Act of 1934, and with the rules, regulations,
and orders of the Commission thereunder. Such evaluation shall
include--
(A) an assessment of the number of enforcement
proceedings commenced before and after such date of
enactment;
(B) an analysis of any changes in the number, type,
seriousness, or repetition of violations; and
(C) an analysis of such other factors as the
Commission considers appropriate to evaluate such
impact.
(2) Report.--Within one year after such date of enactment,
the Commission shall submit a report on the evaluation to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
Passed the House of Representatives February 27, 2002.
Attest:
Clerk.