[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 27, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H5938-H5945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION CONSOLIDATED REPORTING ACT OF 2015

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to take from the 
Speaker's table the bill (S. 253) to amend the Communications Act of 
1934 to consolidate the reporting obligations of the Federal 
Communications Commission in order to improve congressional oversight 
and reduce reporting burdens, and ask for its immediate consideration 
in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oregon?
  There was no objection.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                 S. 253

       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 ``Federal Communications 
     Commission Consolidated Reporting Act of 2015''.

     SEC. 2. COMMUNICATIONS MARKETPLACE REPORT.

       Title I of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et 
     seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 13. COMMUNICATIONS MARKETPLACE REPORT.

       ``(a) In General.--In the last quarter of every even-
     numbered year, the Commission shall publish on its website 
     and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the 
     state of the communications marketplace.
       ``(b) Contents.--Each report required under subsection (a) 
     shall--
       ``(1) assess the state of competition in the communications 
     marketplace, including competition to deliver voice, video, 
     audio, and data services among providers of 
     telecommunications, providers of commercial mobile service 
     (as defined in section 332), multichannel video programming 
     distributors (as defined in section 602), broadcast stations, 
     providers of satellite communications, Internet service 
     providers, and other providers of communications services;
       ``(2) assess the state of deployment of communications 
     capabilities, including advanced telecommunications 
     capability (as defined in section 706 of the 
     Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. 1302)), regardless 
     of the technology used for such deployment;
       ``(3) assess whether laws, regulations, regulatory 
     practices, or demonstrated marketplace practices pose a 
     barrier to competitive entry into the communications 
     marketplace or to the competitive expansion of existing 
     providers of communications services; and
       ``(4) describe the agenda of the Commission for the next 2-
     year period for addressing the challenges and opportunities 
     in the communications marketplace that were identified 
     through the assessments under paragraphs (1) through (3).
       ``(c) Extension.--If the Senate confirms the Chairman of 
     the Commission during the third or fourth quarter of an even-
     numbered year, the report required under subsection (a) may 
     be published on the website of the Commission and submitted 
     to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate by March 1 of the following odd-
     numbered year.
       ``(d) Special Requirements.--
       ``(1) Assessing competition.--In assessing the state of 
     competition under subsection (b)(1), the Commission shall 
     consider all forms of competition, including the effect of 
     intermodal competition, facilities-based competition, and 
     competition from new and emergent communications services, 
     including the provision of content and communications using 
     the Internet.
       ``(2) Assessing deployment.--In assessing the state of 
     deployment under subsection (b)(2), the Commission shall 
     include a list of geographical areas that are not served by 
     any provider of advanced telecommunications capability.
       ``(3) Considering small businesses.--In assessing the state 
     of competition under subsection (b)(1) and barriers under 
     subsection (b)(3), the Commission shall consider market entry 
     barriers for entrepreneurs and other small businesses in the 
     communications marketplace in accordance with the national 
     policy under section 257(b).
       ``(e) Notification of Delay in Report.--If the Commission 
     fails to publish a report by the applicable deadline under 
     subsection (a) or (c), the Commission shall, not later than 7 
     days after the deadline and every 60 days thereafter until 
     the publication of the report--
       ``(1) provide notification of the delay by letter to the 
     chairperson and ranking member of--
       ``(A) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       ``(B) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate;
       ``(2) indicate in the letter the date on which the 
     Commission anticipates the report will be published; and
       ``(3) publish the letter on the website of the 
     Commission.''.

     SEC. 3. CONSOLIDATION OF REDUNDANT REPORTS; CONFORMING 
                   AMENDMENTS.

       (a) ORBIT Act Report.--Section 646 of the Communications 
     Satellite Act of 1962 (47 U.S.C. 765e) is repealed.
       (b) Satellite Competition Report.--Section 4 of Public Law 
     109-34 (47 U.S.C. 703) is repealed.
       (c) International Broadband Data Report.--Section 103(b)(1) 
     of the Broadband Data Improvement Act (47 U.S.C. 1303(b)(1)) 
     is amended by striking ``the assessment and report'' and all 
     that follows through ``the Federal Communications 
     Commission'' and inserting ``its report under section 13 of 
     the Communications Act of 1934, the Federal Communications 
     Commission''.
       (d) Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of 
     Video Programming Report.--Section 628 of the Communications 
     Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 548) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (g);
       (2) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (g); and
       (3) by transferring subsection (g) (as redesignated) so 
     that it appears after subsection (f).
       (e) Report on Cable Industry Prices.--Section 623(k) of the 
     Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 543(k)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``annually publish'' and 
     inserting ``publish with its report under section 13 of the 
     Communications Act of 1934''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), in the heading, by striking 
     ``annual''.
       (f) Triennial Report Identifying and Eliminating Market 
     Entry Barriers for Entrepreneurs and Other Small 
     Businesses.--Section 257 of the Communications Act of 1934 
     (47 U.S.C. 257) is amended by striking subsection (c).
       (g) State of Competitive Market Conditions With Respect to 
     Commercial Mobile Radio Services.--Section 332(c)(1)(C) of 
     the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(c)(1)(C)) is 
     amended by striking the first and second sentences.
       (h) Previously Eliminated Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--Section 4 of the Communications Act of 
     1934 (47 U.S.C. 154) is amended--
       (A) by striking subsection (k); and
       (B) by redesignating subsections (l) through (o) as 
     subsections (k) through (n), respectively.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--The Communications Act of 1934 
     (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) is amended--

[[Page H5939]]

       (A) in section 9(i), by striking ``In the Commission's 
     annual report, the Commission shall prepare an analysis of 
     its progress in developing such systems and'' and inserting 
     ``The Commission''; and
       (B) in section 309(j)(8)(B), by striking the last sentence.
       (i) Additional Outdated Reports.--
       (1) In general.--The Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 
     151 et seq.) is amended--
       (A) in section 4--
       (i) in subsection (b)(2)(B)(ii), by striking ``and shall 
     furnish notice of such action'' and all that follows through 
     ``subject of the waiver''; and
       (ii) in subsection (g)--

       (I) by striking paragraph (2); and
       (II) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2);

       (B) in section 215--
       (i) by striking subsection (b); and
       (ii) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b);
       (C) in section 227(e)--
       (i) by striking paragraph (4); and
       (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (9) as 
     paragraphs (4) through (8), respectively;
       (D) in section 303(u)(1)(B), by striking ``section 713(f)'' 
     and inserting ``section 713(e)'';
       (E) in section 309(j)--
       (i) by striking paragraph (12);
       (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (17) as 
     paragraphs (12) through (16), respectively; and
       (iii) in paragraph (14)(C), as redesignated--

       (I) by striking clause (iv); and
       (II) by redesignating clauses (v) and (vi) as clauses (iv) 
     and (v), respectively;

       (F) in section 331(b), by striking the last sentence;
       (G) in section 336(e), by amending paragraph (4) to read as 
     follows:
       ``(4) Report.--The Commission shall annually advise the 
     Congress on the amounts collected pursuant to the program 
     required by this subsection.'';
       (H) in section 338(k)(6), by striking ``section 
     396(k)(6)(B)'' and inserting ``section 396(j)(6)(B)'';
       (I) in section 339(c)--
       (i) by striking paragraph (1);
       (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (5) as 
     paragraphs (1) through (4), respectively;
       (iii) in paragraph (3)(A), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``paragraph (2)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)''; and
       (iv) in paragraph (4), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``paragraphs (2) and (4)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1) and 
     (3)'';
       (J) in section 396--
       (i) by striking subsections (i) and (m);
       (ii) by redesignating subsections (j) through (l) as 
     subsections (i) through (k), respectively;
       (iii) in subsection (j), as redesignated--

       (I) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (F);
       (II) in paragraph (3)(B)(iii)--

       (aa) by striking subclause (V);
       (bb) by redesignating subclause (VI) as subclause (V); and
       (cc) in subclause (V), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``subsection (l)(4)(B)'' and inserting ``subsection 
     (k)(4)(B)''; and

       (III) in paragraph (5), by striking ``subsection 
     (1)(3)(B)'' and inserting ``subsection (k)(3)(B)''; and

       (iv) in subsection (k), as redesignated--

       (I) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking ``shall be included'' 
     and all that follows through ``The audit report''; and
       (II) in paragraph (4), by striking ``subsection (k)'' each 
     place that term appears and inserting ``subsection (j)'';

       (K) in section 398(b)(4), by striking the third sentence;
       (L) in section 399B(c), by striking ``section 396(k)'' and 
     inserting ``section 396(j)'';
       (M) in section 615(l)(1)(A)(ii), by striking ``section 
     396(k)(6)(B)'' and inserting ``section 396(j)(6)(B)'';
       (N) in section 624A(b)(1)--
       (i) by striking ``Report; regulations'' and inserting 
     ``Regulations'';
       (ii) by striking ``Within 1 year after'' and all that 
     follows through ``on means of assuring'' and inserting ``The 
     Commission shall issue such regulations as are necessary to 
     assure''; and
       (iii) by striking ``Within 180 days after'' and all that 
     follows through ``to assure such compatibility.''; and
       (O) in section 713--
       (i) by striking subsection (a);
       (ii) by redesignating subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), 
     (g), (h), and (j) as subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), 
     (f), (g), and (h), respectively;
       (iii) in subsection (a), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``subsection (d)'' each place that term appears and inserting 
     ``subsection (c)'';
       (iv) in subsection (b), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``subsection (b)'' each place that term appears and inserting 
     ``subsection (a)'';
       (v) in subsection (c), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``subsection (b)'' and inserting ``subsection (a)'';
       (vi) in subsection (e)(2)(A), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``subsection (h)'' and inserting ``subsection (g)''; and
       (vii) in subsection (f), as redesignated, by striking 
     ``subsection (e)(2)'' and inserting ``subsection (d)(2)''.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--
       (A) Middle class tax relief and job creation act of 2012.--
     Section 6401(b) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job 
     Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1451(b)) is amended--
       (i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``(15)(A)'' and inserting 
     ``(14)(A)''; and
       (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking ``(16)(B)'' and 
     inserting ``(15)(B)''.
       (B) Title 17.--Title 17, United States Code, is amended--
       (i) in section 114(d)(1)(B)(iv), by striking ``section 
     396(k)'' and inserting ``section 396(j)''; and
       (ii) in section 119(a)--

       (I) in paragraph (2)(B)(ii)--

       (aa) in subclause (I), by striking ``section 339(c)(3)'' 
     and inserting ``section 339(c)(2)'';
       (bb) in subclause (II), by striking ``section 339(c)(4)'' 
     and inserting ``section 339(c)(3)''; and
       (cc) in subclause (III), by striking ``section 339(c)(3)'' 
     and inserting ``section 339(c)(2)'';

       (II) in paragraph (3)(E), by striking ``section 339(c)(2)'' 
     and inserting ``section 339(c)(1)''; and
       (III) in paragraph (13), by striking ``section 339(c)(2)'' 
     and inserting ``section 339(c)(1)''.

     SEC. 4. EFFECT ON AUTHORITY.

       Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act 
     shall be construed to expand or contract the authority of the 
     Federal Communications Commission.

     SEC. 5. OTHER REPORTS.

       Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act 
     shall be construed to prohibit or otherwise prevent the 
     Federal Communications Commission from producing any 
     additional reports otherwise within the authority of the 
     Federal Communications Commission.

                    Amendment Offered by Mr. Walden

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Clerk read as follows:
  Amendment offered by Mr. Walden:

       Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
     following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the 
     ``Communications Act Update Act of 2016''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Commission defined.

       TITLE I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION PROCESS REFORM

Sec. 101. Federal Communications Commission process reform.
Sec. 102. Categorization of TCPA inquiries and complaints in quarterly 
              report.
Sec. 103. Effect on other laws.
Sec. 104. Application of Antideficiency Act to Universal Service 
              Program.
Sec. 105. Report on improving small business participation in FCC 
              proceedings.
Sec. 106. Timely availability of items adopted by vote of the 
              Commission.

   TITLE II--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION CONSOLIDATED REPORTING

Sec. 201. Communications marketplace report.
Sec. 202. Consolidation of redundant reports; conforming amendments.
Sec. 203. Effect on authority.
Sec. 204. Other reports.

             TITLE III--SMALL BUSINESS BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT

Sec. 301. Exception to enhancement to transparency requirements for 
              small businesses.

                          TITLE IV--KARI'S LAW

Sec. 401. Short title.
Sec. 402. Configuration of multi-line telephone systems for direct 
              dialing of 9-1-1.

           TITLE V--SECURING ACCESS TO NETWORKS IN DISASTERS

Sec. 501. Study on network resiliency.
Sec. 502. Access to essential service providers during federally 
              declared emergencies.
Sec. 503. Definitions.

                     TITLE VI--SPOOFING PREVENTION

Sec. 601. Spoofing prevention.

                    TITLE VII--AMATEUR RADIO PARITY

Sec. 701. Findings.
Sec. 702. Application of private land use restrictions to amateur 
              stations.
Sec. 703. Affirmation of limited preemption of State and local land use 
              regulation.
Sec. 704. Definitions.

        TITLE VIII--IMPROVING RURAL CALL QUALITY AND RELIABILITY

Sec. 801. Ensuring the integrity of voice communications.

     SEC. 2. COMMISSION DEFINED.

       In this Act, the term ``Commission'' means the Federal 
     Communications Commission.

       TITLE I--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION PROCESS REFORM

     SEC. 101. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION PROCESS REFORM.

       (a) In General.--Title I of the Communications Act of 1934 
     (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 13. TRANSPARENCY AND EFFICIENCY.

       ``(a) Initial Rulemaking and Inquiry.--
       ``(1) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this section, the Commission shall complete 
     a rulemaking proceeding and adopt procedural changes to its 
     rules to maximize opportunities for public participation and 
     efficient decisionmaking.

[[Page H5940]]

       ``(2) Requirements for rulemaking.--The rules adopted under 
     paragraph (1) shall--
       ``(A) set minimum comment periods for comment and reply 
     comment, subject to a determination by the Commission that 
     good cause exists for departing from such minimum comment 
     periods, for--
       ``(i) significant regulatory actions, as defined in 
     Executive Order No. 12866; and
       ``(ii) all other rulemaking proceedings;
       ``(B) establish policies concerning the submission of 
     extensive new comments, data, or reports towards the end of 
     the comment period;
       ``(C) establish policies regarding treatment of comments, 
     ex parte communications, and data or reports (including 
     statistical reports and reports to Congress) submitted after 
     the comment period to ensure that the public has adequate 
     notice of and opportunity to respond to such submissions 
     before the Commission relies on such submissions in any 
     order, decision, report, or action;
       ``(D) establish procedures for, not later than 14 days 
     after the end of each quarter of a calendar year (or more 
     frequently, as the Commission considers appropriate), 
     publishing on the Internet website of the Commission and 
     submitting to Congress a report that contains--
       ``(i) the status of open rulemaking proceedings and 
     proposed orders, decisions, reports, or actions on 
     circulation for review by the Commissioners, including which 
     Commissioners have not cast a vote on an order, decision, 
     report, or action that has been on circulation for more than 
     60 days;
       ``(ii) for the petitions, applications, complaints, and 
     other requests for action by the Commission that were pending 
     at the Commission on the last day of such quarter (or more 
     frequent period, as the case may be)--

       ``(I) the number of such requests, broken down by the 
     bureau primarily responsible for action and, for each bureau, 
     the type of request (such as a petition, application, or 
     complaint); and
       ``(II) information regarding the amount of time for which 
     such requests have been pending, broken down as described in 
     subclause (I); and

       ``(iii) a list of the congressional investigations of the 
     Commission that were pending on the last day of such quarter 
     (or more frequent period, as the case may be) and the cost of 
     such investigations, individually and in the aggregate;
       ``(E) establish deadlines (relative to the date of filing) 
     for--
       ``(i) in the case of a petition for a declaratory ruling 
     under section 1.2 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, 
     issuing a public notice of such petition;
       ``(ii) in the case of a petition for rulemaking under 
     section 1.401 of such title, issuing a public notice of such 
     petition; and
       ``(iii) in the case of a petition for reconsideration under 
     section 1.106 or 1.429 of such title or an application for 
     review under section 1.115 of such title, issuing a public 
     notice of a decision on the petition or application by the 
     Commission or under delegated authority (as the case may be);
       ``(F) establish guidelines (relative to the date of filing) 
     for the disposition of petitions filed under section 1.2 of 
     such title;
       ``(G) establish procedures for the inclusion of the 
     specific language of the proposed rule or the proposed 
     amendment of an existing rule in a notice of proposed 
     rulemaking; and
       ``(H) require notices of proposed rulemaking and orders 
     adopting a rule or amending an existing rule that--
       ``(i) create (or propose to create) a program activity to 
     contain performance measures for evaluating the effectiveness 
     of the program activity; and
       ``(ii) substantially change (or propose to substantially 
     change) a program activity to contain--

       ``(I) performance measures for evaluating the effectiveness 
     of the program activity as changed (or proposed to be 
     changed); or
       ``(II) a finding that existing performance measures will 
     effectively evaluate the program activity as changed (or 
     proposed to be changed).

       ``(3) Inquiry.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this section, the Commission shall complete an 
     inquiry to seek public comment on whether and how the 
     Commission should--
       ``(A) establish procedures for allowing a bipartisan 
     majority of Commissioners to place an order, decision, 
     report, or action on the agenda of an open meeting;
       ``(B) establish procedures for informing all Commissioners 
     of a reasonable number of options available to the Commission 
     for resolving a petition, complaint, application, rulemaking, 
     or other proceeding;
       ``(C) establish procedures for ensuring that all 
     Commissioners have adequate time, prior to being required to 
     decide a petition, complaint, application, rulemaking, or 
     other proceeding (including at a meeting held pursuant to 
     section 5(d)), to review the proposed Commission decision 
     document, including the specific language of any proposed 
     rule or any proposed amendment of an existing rule;
       ``(D) establish procedures for publishing the text of 
     agenda items to be voted on at an open meeting in advance of 
     such meeting so that the public has the opportunity to read 
     the text before a vote is taken;
       ``(E) establish deadlines (relative to the date of filing) 
     for disposition of applications for a license under section 
     1.913 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations;
       ``(F) assign resources needed in order to meet the 
     deadlines described in subparagraph (E), including whether 
     the Commission's ability to meet such deadlines would be 
     enhanced by assessing a fee from applicants for such a 
     license; and
       ``(G) except as otherwise provided in section 4(p), publish 
     each order, decision, report, or action not later than 30 
     days after the date of the adoption of such order, decision, 
     report, or action.
       ``(4) Data for performance measures.--The Commission shall 
     develop a performance measure or proposed performance measure 
     required by this subsection to rely, where possible, on data 
     already collected by the Commission.
       ``(5) GAO audit.--Not less frequently than every 6 months, 
     the Comptroller General of the United States shall audit the 
     cost estimates provided by the Commission under paragraph 
     (2)(D)(iii) during the preceding 6-month period.
       ``(b) Periodic Review.--On the date that is 5 years after 
     the completion of the rulemaking proceeding under subsection 
     (a)(1), and every 5 years thereafter, the Commission shall 
     initiate a new rulemaking proceeding to continue to consider 
     such procedural changes to its rules as may be in the public 
     interest to maximize opportunities for public participation 
     and efficient decisionmaking.
       ``(c) Nonpublic Collaborative Discussions.--
       ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 552b of title 5, 
     United States Code, a bipartisan majority of Commissioners 
     may hold a meeting that is closed to the public to discuss 
     official business if--
       ``(A) a vote or any other agency action is not taken at 
     such meeting;
       ``(B) each person present at such meeting is a 
     Commissioner, an employee of the Commission, a member of a 
     joint board or conference established under section 410, or a 
     person on the staff of such a joint board or conference or of 
     a member of such a joint board or conference; and
       ``(C) an attorney from the Office of General Counsel of the 
     Commission is present at such meeting.
       ``(2) Disclosure of nonpublic collaborative discussions.--
     Not later than 2 business days after the conclusion of a 
     meeting held under paragraph (1), the Commission shall 
     publish a disclosure of such meeting, including--
       ``(A) a list of the persons who attended such meeting; and
       ``(B) a summary of the matters discussed at such meeting, 
     except for such matters as the Commission determines may be 
     withheld under section 552b(c) of title 5, United States 
     Code.
       ``(3) Preservation of open meetings requirements for agency 
     action.--Nothing in this subsection shall limit the 
     applicability of section 552b of title 5, United States Code, 
     with respect to a meeting of Commissioners other than that 
     described in paragraph (1).
       ``(d) Access to Certain Information on Commission's 
     Website.--The Commission shall provide direct access from the 
     homepage of its website to--
       ``(1) detailed information regarding--
       ``(A) the budget of the Commission for the current fiscal 
     year;
       ``(B) the appropriations for the Commission for such fiscal 
     year; and
       ``(C) the total number of full-time equivalent employees of 
     the Commission; and
       ``(2) the performance plan most recently made available by 
     the Commission under section 1115(b) of title 31, United 
     States Code.
       ``(e) Internet Publication of Certain FCC Policies and 
     Procedures.--The chairman of the Commission shall--
       ``(1) publish on the Internet website of the Commission any 
     policies or procedures of the Commission that--
       ``(A) are established by the chairman; and
       ``(B) relate to the functioning of the Commission or the 
     handling of the agenda of the Commission; and
       ``(2) update such publication not later than 48 hours after 
     the chairman makes changes to any such policies or 
     procedures.
       ``(f) Federal Register Publication.--
       ``(1) In general.--In the case of any document adopted by 
     the Commission that the Commission is required, under any 
     provision of law, to publish in the Federal Register, the 
     Commission shall, not later than the date described in 
     paragraph (2), complete all Commission actions necessary for 
     such document to be so published.
       ``(2) Date described.--The date described in this paragraph 
     is the earlier of--
       ``(A) the day that is 45 days after the date of the release 
     of the document; or
       ``(B) the day by which such actions must be completed to 
     comply with any deadline under any other provision of law.
       ``(3) No effect on deadlines for publication in other 
     form.--In the case of a deadline that does not specify that 
     the form of publication is publication in the Federal 
     Register, the Commission may comply with such deadline by 
     publishing the document in another form. Such other form of 
     publication does not relieve the Commission of any Federal 
     Register publication requirement applicable to such document, 
     including the requirement of paragraph (1).
       ``(g) Consumer Complaint Database.--
       ``(1) In general.--In evaluating and processing consumer 
     complaints, the Commission shall present information about 
     such complaints in a publicly available, searchable database 
     on its website that--
       ``(A) facilitates easy use by consumers; and
       ``(B) to the extent practicable, is sortable and accessible 
     by--

[[Page H5941]]

       ``(i) the date of the filing of the complaint;
       ``(ii) the topic of the complaint;
       ``(iii) the party complained of; and
       ``(iv) other elements that the Commission considers in the 
     public interest.
       ``(2) Duplicative complaints.--In the case of multiple 
     complaints arising from the same alleged misconduct, the 
     Commission shall be required to include only information 
     concerning one such complaint in the database described in 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(h) Form of Publication.--
       ``(1) In general.--In complying with a requirement of this 
     section to publish a document, the Commission shall publish 
     such document on its website, in addition to publishing such 
     document in any other form that the Commission is required to 
     use or is permitted to and chooses to use.
       ``(2) Exception.--The Commission shall by rule establish 
     procedures for redacting documents required to be published 
     by this section so that the published versions of such 
     documents do not contain--
       ``(A) information the publication of which would be 
     detrimental to national security, homeland security, law 
     enforcement, or public safety; or
       ``(B) information that is proprietary or confidential.
       ``(i) Transparency Relating to Performance in Meeting FOIA 
     Requirements.--The Commission shall take additional steps to 
     inform the public about its performance and efficiency in 
     meeting the disclosure and other requirements of section 552 
     of title 5, United States Code (commonly referred to as the 
     Freedom of Information Act), including by doing the 
     following:
       ``(1) Publishing on the Commission's website the 
     Commission's logs for tracking, responding to, and managing 
     requests submitted under such section, including the 
     Commission's fee estimates, fee categories, and fee request 
     determinations.
       ``(2) Releasing to the public all decisions made by the 
     Commission (including decisions made by the Commission's 
     Bureaus and Offices) granting or denying requests filed under 
     such section, including any such decisions pertaining to the 
     estimate and application of fees assessed under such section.
       ``(3) Publishing on the Commission's website electronic 
     copies of documents released under such section.
       ``(4) Presenting information about the Commission's 
     handling of requests under such section in the Commission's 
     annual budget estimates submitted to Congress and the 
     Commission's annual performance and financial reports. Such 
     information shall include the number of requests under such 
     section the Commission received in the most recent fiscal 
     year, the number of such requests granted and denied, a 
     comparison of the Commission's processing of such requests 
     over at least the previous 3 fiscal years, and a comparison 
     of the Commission's results with the most recent average for 
     the United States Government as published on www.foia.gov.
 ``(j) Prompt Release of Statistical Reports and Reports to 
     Congress.--Not later than January 15th of each year, the 
     Commission shall identify, catalog, and publish an 
     anticipated release schedule for all statistical reports and 
     reports to Congress that are regularly or intermittently 
     released by the Commission and will be released during such 
     year.
       ``(k) Annual Scorecard Reports.--
       ``(1) In general.--For the 1-year period beginning on 
     January 1st of each year, the Commission shall prepare a 
     report on the performance of the Commission in conducting its 
     proceedings and meeting the deadlines established under 
     subsection (a)(2)(E) and the guidelines established under 
     subsection (a)(2)(F).
       ``(2) Contents.--Each report required by paragraph (1) 
     shall contain detailed statistics on such performance, 
     including, with respect to each Bureau of the Commission--
       ``(A) with respect to each type of filing specified in 
     subsection (a)(2)(E) or (a)(2)(F)--
       ``(i) the number of filings that were pending on the last 
     day of the period covered by such report;
       ``(ii) the number of filings described in clause (i) for 
     which each applicable deadline or guideline established under 
     such subsection was not met and the average length of time 
     such filings have been pending; and
       ``(iii) for filings that were resolved during such period, 
     the average time between initiation and resolution and the 
     percentage for which each applicable deadline or guideline 
     established under such subsection was met;
       ``(B) with respect to proceedings before an administrative 
     law judge--
       ``(i) the number of such proceedings completed during such 
     period; and
       ``(ii) the number of such proceedings pending on the last 
     day of such period; and
       ``(C) the number of independent studies or analyses 
     published by the Commission during such period.
       ``(3) Publication and submission.--The Commission shall 
     publish and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
     Science, and Transportation of the Senate each report 
     required by paragraph (1) not later than the date that is 30 
     days after the last day of the period covered by such report.
       ``(l) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Amendment.--The term `amendment' includes, when used 
     with respect to an existing rule, the deletion of such rule.
       ``(2) Bipartisan majority.--The term `bipartisan majority' 
     means, when used with respect to a group of Commissioners, 
     that such group--
       ``(A) is a group of three or more Commissioners; and
       ``(B) includes, for each political party of which any 
     Commissioner is a member, at least one Commissioner who is a 
     member of such political party, and, if any Commissioner has 
     no political party affiliation, at least one unaffiliated 
     Commissioner.
       ``(3) Performance measure.--The term `performance measure' 
     means an objective and quantifiable outcome measure or output 
     measure (as such terms are defined in section 1115 of title 
     31, United States Code).
       ``(4) Program activity.--The term `program activity' has 
     the meaning given such term in section 1115 of title 31, 
     United States Code, except that such term also includes any 
     annual collection or distribution or related series of 
     collections or distributions by the Commission of an amount 
     that is greater than or equal to $100,000,000.
       ``(5) Other definitions.--The terms `agency action', `ex 
     parte communication', and `rule' have the meanings given such 
     terms in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.''.
       (b) Effective Dates and Implementing Rules.--
       (1) Effective dates.--
       (A) Nonpublic collaborative discussions.--Subsection (c) of 
     section 13 of the Communications Act of 1934, as added by 
     subsection (a), shall apply beginning on the first date on 
     which all of the procedural changes to the rules of the 
     Commission required by subsection (a)(1) of such section have 
     taken effect.
       (B) Report release schedules.--Subsection (j) of such 
     section 13 shall apply with respect to 2017 and any year 
     thereafter.
       (C) Annual scorecard reports.--Subsection (k) of such 
     section 13 shall apply with respect to 2016 and any year 
     thereafter.
       (D) Internet publication of certain fcc policies and 
     procedures.--Subsection (e) of such section 13 shall apply 
     beginning on the date that is 30 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (2) Rules.--Except as otherwise provided in such section 
     13, the Commission shall promulgate any rules necessary to 
     carry out such section not later than 1 year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 102. CATEGORIZATION OF TCPA INQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS IN 
                   QUARTERLY REPORT.

       In compiling its quarterly report with respect to informal 
     consumer inquiries and complaints, the Commission may not 
     categorize an inquiry or complaint with respect to section 
     227 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227) as 
     being a wireline inquiry or complaint or a wireless inquiry 
     or complaint unless the party whose conduct is the subject of 
     the inquiry or complaint is a wireline carrier or a wireless 
     carrier, respectively.

     SEC. 103. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.

       Nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title 
     shall relieve the Commission from any obligations under title 
     5, United States Code, except where otherwise expressly 
     provided.

     SEC. 104. APPLICATION OF ANTIDEFICIENCY ACT TO UNIVERSAL 
                   SERVICE PROGRAM.

       Section 302 of Public Law 108-494 (118 Stat. 3998) is 
     amended by striking ``December 31, 2017'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``December 31, 2020''.

     SEC. 105. REPORT ON IMPROVING SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN 
                   FCC PROCEEDINGS.

       Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Commission, in consultation with the 
     Administrator of the Small Business Administration, shall 
     submit to Congress a report on--
       (1) actions that the Commission will take to improve the 
     participation of small businesses in the proceedings of the 
     Commission; and
       (2) recommendations for any legislation that the Commission 
     considers appropriate to improve such participation.

     SEC. 106. TIMELY AVAILABILITY OF ITEMS ADOPTED BY VOTE OF THE 
                   COMMISSION.

       (a) Amendment.--Section 4 of the Communications Act of 1934 
     (47 U.S.C. 154) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(p) In the case of any item that is adopted by vote of 
     the Commission, the Commission shall publish on the Internet 
     website of the Commission the text of such item not later 
     than 24 hours after the Secretary of the Commission has 
     received dissenting statements from all Commissioners wishing 
     to submit such a statement with respect to such item.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to an item that is adopted after the 
     date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.

   TITLE II--FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION CONSOLIDATED REPORTING

     SEC. 201. COMMUNICATIONS MARKETPLACE REPORT.

       Title I of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et 
     seq.), as amended by section 101(a), is further amended by 
     adding at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 14. COMMUNICATIONS MARKETPLACE REPORT.

       ``(a) In General.--In the last quarter of every even-
     numbered year, the Commission shall publish on its website 
     and submit to

[[Page H5942]]

     the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate a report on the state of the 
     communications marketplace.
       ``(b) Contents.--Each report required by subsection (a) 
     shall--
       ``(1) assess the state of competition in the communications 
     marketplace, including competition to deliver voice, video, 
     audio, and data services among providers of 
     telecommunications, providers of commercial mobile service 
     (as defined in section 332), multichannel video programming 
     distributors (as defined in section 602), broadcast stations, 
     providers of satellite communications, Internet service 
     providers, and other providers of communications services;
       ``(2) assess the state of deployment of communications 
     capabilities, including advanced telecommunications 
     capability (as defined in section 706 of the 
     Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. 1302)), regardless 
     of the technology used for such deployment, including whether 
     advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to 
     all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion;
       ``(3) assess whether laws, regulations, or regulatory 
     practices (whether those of the Federal Government, States, 
     political subdivisions of States, Indian tribes or tribal 
     organizations (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the 
     Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
     U.S.C. 5304)), or foreign governments) pose a barrier to 
     competitive entry into the communications marketplace or to 
     the competitive expansion of existing providers of 
     communications services;
       ``(4) describe the agenda of the Commission for the next 2-
     year period for addressing the challenges and opportunities 
     in the communications marketplace that were identified 
     through the assessments under paragraphs (1) through (3); and
       ``(5) describe the actions that the Commission has taken in 
     pursuit of the agenda described pursuant to paragraph (4) in 
     the previous report submitted under this section.
       ``(c) Extension.--If the President designates a 
     Commissioner as Chairman of the Commission during the last 
     quarter of an even-numbered year, the portion of the report 
     required by subsection (b)(4) may be published on the website 
     of the Commission and submitted to the Committee on Energy 
     and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate as an addendum during the first quarter of the 
     following odd-numbered year.
       ``(d) Special Requirements.--
       ``(1) Assessing competition.--In assessing the state of 
     competition under subsection (b)(1), the Commission shall 
     consider all forms of competition, including the effect of 
     intermodal competition, facilities-based competition, and 
     competition from new and emergent communications services, 
     including the provision of content and communications using 
     the Internet.
       ``(2) Assessing deployment.--In assessing the state of 
     deployment under subsection (b)(2), the Commission shall 
     compile a list of geographical areas that are not served by 
     any provider of advanced telecommunications capability.
       ``(3) International comparisons and demographic 
     information.--The Commission may use readily available data 
     to draw appropriate comparisons between the United States 
     communications marketplace and the international 
     communications marketplace and to correlate its assessments 
     with demographic information.
       ``(4) Considering small businesses.--In assessing the state 
     of competition under subsection (b)(1) and regulatory 
     barriers under subsection (b)(3), the Commission shall 
     consider market entry barriers for entrepreneurs and other 
     small businesses in the communications marketplace in 
     accordance with the national policy under section 257(b).
       ``(5) Considering cable rates.--In assessing the state of 
     competition under subsection (b)(1), the Commission shall 
     include in each report required by subsection (a) the 
     aggregate average total amount paid by cable systems in 
     compensation under section 325 during the period covered by 
     such report.''.

     SEC. 202. CONSOLIDATION OF REDUNDANT REPORTS; CONFORMING 
                   AMENDMENTS.

       (a) ORBIT Act Report.--Section 646 of the Communications 
     Satellite Act of 1962 (47 U.S.C. 765e; 114 Stat. 57) is 
     repealed.
       (b) Satellite Competition Report.--Section 4 of Public Law 
     109-34 (47 U.S.C. 703) is repealed.
       (c) International Broadband Data Report.--Section 103 of 
     the Broadband Data Improvement Act (47 U.S.C. 1303) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (b); and
       (2) by redesignating subsections (c) through (e) as 
     subsections (b) through (d), respectively.
       (d) Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of 
     Video Programming Report.--Section 628 of the Communications 
     Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 548) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (g);
       (2) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (g); and
       (3) by transferring subsection (g) (as redesignated) so 
     that it appears after subsection (f).
       (e) Report on Cable Industry Prices.--
       (1) In general.--Section 623 of the Communications Act of 
     1934 (47 U.S.C. 543) is amended--
       (A) by striking subsection (k); and
       (B) by redesignating subsections (l) through (o) as 
     subsections (k) through (n), respectively.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 613(a)(3) of the 
     Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 533(a)(3)) is amended 
     by striking ``623(l)'' and inserting ``623(k)''.
       (f) Triennial Report Identifying and Eliminating Market 
     Entry Barriers for Entrepreneurs and Other Small 
     Businesses.--Section 257 of the Communications Act of 1934 
     (47 U.S.C. 257) is amended by striking subsection (c).
       (g) Section 706 Report.--Section 706 of the 
     Telecommunications Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. 1302) is amended--
       (1) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
       ``(b) Determination.--If the Commission determines in its 
     report under section 14 of the Communications Act of 1934, 
     after considering the availability of advanced 
     telecommunications capability to all Americans (including, in 
     particular, elementary and secondary schools and classrooms), 
     that advanced telecommunications capability is not being 
     deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion, 
     the Commission shall take immediate action to accelerate 
     deployment of such capability by removing barriers to 
     infrastructure investment and by promoting competition in the 
     telecommunications market.'';
       (2) by striking subsection (c);
       (3) in subsection (d), by striking ``this subsection'' and 
     inserting ``this section''; and
       (4) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).
       (h) State of Competitive Market Conditions With Respect to 
     Commercial Mobile Radio Services.--Section 332(c)(1)(C) of 
     the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332(c)(1)(C)) is 
     amended by striking the first and second sentences.
       (i) Previously Eliminated Annual Report.--
       (1) In general.--Section 4 of the Communications Act of 
     1934 (47 U.S.C. 154), as amended by section 106(a), is 
     further amended--
       (A) by striking subsection (k); and
       (B) by redesignating subsections (l) through (p) as 
     subsections (k) through (o), respectively.
       (2) Conforming amendments.--The Communications Act of 1934 
     (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) is amended--
       (A) in section 9(i), by striking ``In the Commission's 
     annual report, the Commission shall prepare an analysis of 
     its progress in developing such systems and'' and inserting 
     ``The Commission''; and
       (B) in section 309(j)(8)(B), by striking the last sentence.
       (j) Additional Outdated Reports.--The Communications Act of 
     1934 is further amended--
       (1) in section 4--
       (A) in subsection (b)(2)(B)(ii), by striking ``and shall 
     furnish notice of such action'' and all that follows through 
     ``subject of the waiver''; and
       (B) in subsection (g), by striking paragraph (2);
       (2) in section 215--
       (A) by striking subsection (b); and
       (B) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b);
       (3) in section 227(e), by striking paragraph (4);
       (4) in section 309(j)--
       (A) by striking paragraph (12); and
       (B) in paragraph (15)(C), by striking clause (iv);
       (5) in section 331(b), by striking the last sentence;
       (6) in section 336(e), by amending paragraph (4) to read as 
     follows:
       ``(4) Report.--The Commission shall annually advise the 
     Congress on the amounts collected pursuant to the program 
     required by this subsection.'';
       (7) in section 339(c), by striking paragraph (1);
       (8) in section 396--
       (A) by striking subsection (i);
       (B) in subsection (k)--
       (i) in paragraph (1), by striking subparagraph (F); and
       (ii) in paragraph (3)(B)(iii), by striking subclause (V);
       (C) in subsection (l)(1)(B), by striking ``shall be 
     included'' and all that follows through ``The audit report''; 
     and
       (D) by striking subsection (m);
       (9) in section 398(b)(4), by striking the third sentence;
       (10) in section 624A(b)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``Report; regulations'' and inserting 
     ``Regulations'';
       (B) by striking ``Within 1 year after'' and all that 
     follows through ``on means of assuring'' and inserting ``The 
     Commission shall issue such regulations as are necessary to 
     assure''; and
       (C) by striking ``Within 180 days after'' and all that 
     follows through ``to assure such compatibility.''; and
       (11) in section 713, by striking subsection (a).

     SEC. 203. EFFECT ON AUTHORITY.

       Nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title 
     shall be construed to expand or contract the authority of the 
     Commission.

     SEC. 204. OTHER REPORTS.

       Nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title 
     shall be construed to prohibit or otherwise prevent the 
     Commission from producing any additional reports otherwise 
     within the authority of the Commission.

[[Page H5943]]

  


             TITLE III--SMALL BUSINESS BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT

     SEC. 301. EXCEPTION TO ENHANCEMENT TO TRANSPARENCY 
                   REQUIREMENTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

       (a) In General.--The enhancements to the transparency rule 
     of the Commission under section 8.3 of title 47, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, as described in paragraphs 162 through 
     184 of the Report and Order on Remand, Declaratory Ruling, 
     and Order of the Commission with regard to protecting and 
     promoting the open Internet (adopted February 26, 2015) (FCC 
     15-24), shall not apply to any small business.
       (b) Sunset.--Subsection (a) shall not have any force or 
     effect after the date that is 5 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.
       (c) Report by FCC.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to 
     the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate a report that contains the 
     recommendations of the Commission (and data supporting such 
     recommendations) regarding--
       (1) whether the exception provided by subsection (a) should 
     be made permanent; and
       (2) whether the definition of the term ``small business'' 
     for purposes of such exception should be modified from the 
     definition in subsection (d)(2).
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Broadband internet access service.--The term 
     ``broadband Internet access service'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 8.2 of title 47, Code of Federal 
     Regulations.
       (2) Small business.--The term ``small business'' means any 
     provider of broadband Internet access service that has not 
     more than 250,000 subscribers.

                          TITLE IV--KARI'S LAW

     SEC. 401. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Kari's Law Act of 2016''.

     SEC. 402. CONFIGURATION OF MULTI-LINE TELEPHONE SYSTEMS FOR 
                   DIRECT DIALING OF 9-1-1.

       (a) In General.--Title VII of the Communications Act of 
     1934 (47 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 721. CONFIGURATION OF MULTI-LINE TELEPHONE SYSTEMS FOR 
                   DIRECT DIALING OF 9-1-1.

       ``(a) System Manufacture, Importation, Sale, and Lease.--A 
     person engaged in the business of manufacturing, importing, 
     selling, or leasing multi-line telephone systems may not 
     manufacture or import for use in the United States, or sell 
     or lease or offer to sell or lease in the United States, a 
     multi-line telephone system, unless such system is pre-
     configured such that, when properly installed in accordance 
     with subsection (b), a user may directly initiate a call to 
     9-1-1 from any station equipped with dialing facilities, 
     without dialing any additional digit, code, prefix, or post-
     fix, including any trunk-access code such as the digit `9', 
     regardless of whether the user is required to dial such a 
     digit, code, prefix, or post-fix for other calls.
       ``(b) System Installation, Management, and Operation.--A 
     person engaged in the business of installing, managing, or 
     operating multi-line telephone systems may not install, 
     manage, or operate for use in the United States such a 
     system, unless such system is configured such that a user may 
     directly initiate a call to 9-1-1 from any station equipped 
     with dialing facilities, without dialing any additional 
     digit, code, prefix, or post-fix, including any trunk-access 
     code such as the digit `9', regardless of whether the user is 
     required to dial such a digit, code, prefix, or post-fix for 
     other calls.
       ``(c) On-Site Notification.--A person engaged in the 
     business of installing, managing, or operating multi-line 
     telephone systems shall, in installing, managing, or 
     operating such a system for use in the United States, 
     configure the system to provide a notification to a central 
     location at the facility where the system is installed or to 
     another person or organization regardless of location, if the 
     system is able to be configured to provide the notification 
     without an improvement to the hardware or software of the 
     system.
       ``(d) Effect on State Law.--Nothing in this section is 
     intended to alter the authority of State commissions or other 
     State or local agencies with jurisdiction over emergency 
     communications, if the exercise of such authority is not 
     inconsistent with this Act.
       ``(e) Enforcement.--This section shall be enforced under 
     title V, except that section 501 applies only to the extent 
     that such section provides for the punishment of a fine.
       ``(f) Multi-Line Telephone System Defined.--In this 
     section, the term `multi-line telephone system' has the 
     meaning given such term in section 6502 of the Middle Class 
     Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1471).''.
       (b) Effective Date.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     section 721 of the Communications Act of 1934, as added by 
     subsection (a) of this section, shall apply beginning on the 
     date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.
       (2) Exception.--Subsection (b) or (c) of such section 721 
     shall not apply to a multi-line telephone system that was 
     installed before the date that is 2 years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act if such system is not able to be 
     configured to meet the requirement of such subsection (b) or 
     (c), respectively, without an improvement to the hardware or 
     software of the system.

           TITLE V--SECURING ACCESS TO NETWORKS IN DISASTERS

     SEC. 501. STUDY ON NETWORK RESILIENCY.

       Not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of 
     this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress, and make 
     publically available on the Commission's website, a study on 
     the public safety benefits and technical feasibility and cost 
     of--
       (1) making telecommunications service provider-owned WiFi 
     access points, and other communications technologies 
     operating on unlicensed spectrum, available to the general 
     public for access to 9-1-1 services, without requiring any 
     login credentials, during times of emergency when mobile 
     service is unavailable;
       (2) the provision by non-telecommunications service 
     provider-owned WiFi access points of public access to 9-1-1 
     services during times of emergency when mobile service is 
     unavailable; and
       (3) other alternative means of providing the public with 
     access to 9-1-1 services during times of emergency when 
     mobile service is unavailable.

     SEC. 502. ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS DURING 
                   FEDERALLY DECLARED EMERGENCIES.

       Section 427(a)(1)(A) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
     Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
     5189e(a)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``telecommunications 
     service'' and inserting ``wireline or mobile telephone 
     service, Internet access service, radio or television 
     broadcasting, cable service, or direct broadcast satellite 
     service''.

     SEC. 503. DEFINITIONS.

       As used in this title--
       (1) the term ``mobile service'' means commercial mobile 
     service (as defined in section 332 of the Communications Act 
     of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 332)) or commercial mobile data service 
     (as defined in section 6001 of the Middle Class Tax Relief 
     and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1401));
       (2) the term ``WiFi access point'' means wireless Internet 
     access using the standard designated as 802.11 or any variant 
     thereof; and
       (3) the term ``times of emergency'' means either an 
     emergency as defined in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford 
     Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
     5122), or an emergency as declared by the governor of a State 
     or territory of the United States.

                     TITLE VI--SPOOFING PREVENTION

     SEC. 601. SPOOFING PREVENTION.

       (a) Expanding and Clarifying Prohibition on Misleading or 
     Inaccurate Caller Identification Information.--
       (1) Communications from outside the united states.--Section 
     227(e)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 
     227(e)(1)) is amended by striking ``in connection with any 
     telecommunications service or IP-enabled voice service'' and 
     inserting ``or any person outside the United States if the 
     recipient is within the United States, in connection with any 
     voice service or text messaging service''.
       (2) Coverage of text messages and voice services.--Section 
     227(e)(8) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 
     227(e)(8)) is amended--
       (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``telecommunications 
     service or IP-enabled voice service'' and inserting ``voice 
     service or a text message sent using a text messaging 
     service'';
       (B) in the first sentence of subparagraph (B), by striking 
     ``telecommunications service or IP-enabled voice service'' 
     and inserting ``voice service or a text message sent using a 
     text messaging service''; and
       (C) by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(C) Text message.--The term `text message'--
       ``(i) means a message consisting of text, images, sounds, 
     or other information that is transmitted to or from a device 
     that is identified as the receiving or transmitting device by 
     means of a 10-digit telephone number or N11 service code;
       ``(ii) includes a short message service (commonly referred 
     to as `SMS') message and a multimedia message service 
     (commonly referred to as `MMS') message; and
       ``(iii) does not include--

       ``(I) a real-time, 2-way voice or video communication; or
       ``(II) a message sent over an IP-enabled messaging service 
     to another user of the same messaging service, except a 
     message described in clause (ii).

       ``(D) Text messaging service.--The term `text messaging 
     service' means a service that enables the transmission or 
     receipt of a text message, including a service provided as 
     part of or in connection with a voice service.
       ``(E) Voice service.--The term `voice service'--
       ``(i) means any service that is interconnected with the 
     public switched telephone network and that furnishes voice 
     communications to an end user using resources from the North 
     American Numbering Plan or any successor to the North 
     American Numbering Plan adopted by the Commission under 
     section 251(e)(1); and
       ``(ii) includes transmissions from a telephone facsimile 
     machine, computer, or other device to a telephone facsimile 
     machine.''.
       (3) Technical amendment.--Section 227(e) of the 
     Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C.

[[Page H5944]]

     227(e)) is amended in the heading by inserting ``Misleading 
     or'' before ``Inaccurate''.
       (4) Regulations.--
       (A) In general.--Section 227(e)(3)(A) of the Communications 
     Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(e)(3)(A)) is amended by striking 
     ``Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of the 
     Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009, the Commission'' and 
     inserting ``The Commission''.
       (B) Deadline.--The Commission shall prescribe regulations 
     to implement the amendments made by this subsection not later 
     than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (5) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection 
     shall take effect on the date that is 6 months after the date 
     on which the Commission prescribes regulations under 
     paragraph (4).
       (b) Consumer Education Materials on How to Avoid Scams That 
     Rely Upon Misleading or Inaccurate Caller Identification 
     Information.--
       (1) Development of materials.--Not later than 1 year after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission, in 
     coordination with the Federal Trade Commission, shall develop 
     consumer education materials that provide information about--
       (A) ways for consumers to identify scams and other 
     fraudulent activity that rely upon the use of misleading or 
     inaccurate caller identification information; and
       (B) existing technologies, if any, that a consumer can use 
     to protect against such scams and other fraudulent activity.
       (2) Contents.--In developing the consumer education 
     materials under paragraph (1), the Commission shall--
       (A) identify existing technologies, if any, that can help 
     consumers guard themselves against scams and other fraudulent 
     activity that rely upon the use of misleading or inaccurate 
     caller identification information, including--
       (i) descriptions of how a consumer can use the technologies 
     to protect against such scams and other fraudulent activity; 
     and
       (ii) details on how consumers can access and use the 
     technologies; and
       (B) provide other information that may help consumers 
     identify and avoid scams and other fraudulent activity that 
     rely upon the use of misleading or inaccurate caller 
     identification information.
       (3) Updates.--The Commission shall ensure that the consumer 
     education materials required under paragraph (1) are updated 
     on a regular basis.
       (4) Website.--The Commission shall include the consumer 
     education materials developed under paragraph (1) on its 
     website.
       (c) GAO Report on Combating the Fraudulent Provision of 
     Misleading or Inaccurate Caller Identification Information.--
       (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a study of the actions the Commission 
     and the Federal Trade Commission have taken to combat the 
     fraudulent provision of misleading or inaccurate caller 
     identification information, and the additional measures that 
     could be taken to combat such activity.
       (2) Required considerations.--In conducting the study under 
     paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall examine--
       (A) trends in the types of scams that rely on misleading or 
     inaccurate caller identification information;
       (B) previous and current enforcement actions by the 
     Commission and the Federal Trade Commission to combat the 
     practices prohibited by section 227(e)(1) of the 
     Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(e)(1));
       (C) current efforts by industry groups and other entities 
     to develop technical standards to deter or prevent the 
     fraudulent provision of misleading or inaccurate caller 
     identification information, and how such standards may help 
     combat the current and future provision of misleading or 
     inaccurate caller identification information; and
       (D) whether there are additional actions the Commission, 
     the Federal Trade Commission, and Congress should take to 
     combat the fraudulent provision of misleading or inaccurate 
     caller identification information.
       (3) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
     to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
     Transportation of the Senate a report on the findings of the 
     study under paragraph (1), including any recommendations 
     regarding combating the fraudulent provision of misleading or 
     inaccurate caller identification information.
       (d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section, or the 
     amendments made by this section, shall be construed to 
     modify, limit, or otherwise affect any rule or order adopted 
     by the Commission in connection with--
       (1) the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (Public 
     Law 102-243; 105 Stat. 2394) or the amendments made by that 
     Act; or
       (2) the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (15 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.).

                    TITLE VII--AMATEUR RADIO PARITY

     SEC. 701. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) More than 730,000 radio amateurs in the United States 
     are licensed by the Commission in the amateur radio services.
       (2) Amateur radio, at no cost to taxpayers, provides a 
     fertile ground for technical self-training in modern 
     telecommunications, electronics technology, and emergency 
     communications techniques and protocols.
       (3) There is a strong Federal interest in the effective 
     performance of amateur stations established at the residences 
     of licensees. Such stations have been shown to be frequently 
     and increasingly precluded by unreasonable private land use 
     restrictions, including restrictive covenants.
       (4) Commission regulations have for three decades 
     prohibited the application to stations in the amateur service 
     of State and local regulations that preclude or fail to 
     reasonably accommodate amateur service communications, or 
     that do not constitute the minimum practicable regulation to 
     accomplish a legitimate State or local purpose. Commission 
     policy has been and is to require States and localities to 
     permit erection of a station antenna structure at heights and 
     dimensions sufficient to accommodate amateur service 
     communications.
       (5) The Commission has sought guidance and direction from 
     Congress with respect to the application of the Commission's 
     limited preemption policy regarding amateur service 
     communications to private land use restrictions, including 
     restrictive covenants.
       (6) There are aesthetic and common property considerations 
     that are uniquely applicable to private land use regulations 
     and the community associations obligated to enforce 
     covenants, conditions, and restrictions in deed-restricted 
     communities. These considerations are dissimilar to those 
     applicable to State law and local ordinances regulating the 
     same residential amateur radio facilities.
       (7) In recognition of these considerations, a separate 
     Federal policy than exists at section 97.15(b) of title 47, 
     Code of Federal Regulations, is warranted concerning amateur 
     service communications in deed-restricted communities.
       (8) Community associations should fairly administer private 
     land use regulations in the interest of their communities, 
     while nevertheless permitting the installation and 
     maintenance of effective outdoor amateur radio antennas. 
     There exist antenna designs and installations that can be 
     consistent with the aesthetics and physical characteristics 
     of land and structures in community associations while 
     accommodating communications in the amateur radio services.

     SEC. 702. APPLICATION OF PRIVATE LAND USE RESTRICTIONS TO 
                   AMATEUR STATIONS.

       (a) Amendment of FCC Rules.--Not later than 120 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall 
     amend section 97.15 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, 
     by adding a new paragraph that prohibits the application to 
     amateur stations of any private land use restriction, 
     including a restrictive covenant, that--
       (1) on its face or as applied, precludes communications in 
     an amateur radio service;
       (2) fails to permit a licensee in an amateur radio service 
     to install and maintain an effective outdoor antenna on 
     property under the exclusive use or control of the licensee; 
     or
       (3) does not constitute the minimum practicable restriction 
     on such communications to accomplish the lawful purposes of a 
     community association seeking to enforce such restriction.
       (b) Additional Requirements.--In amending its rules as 
     required by subsection (a), the Commission shall--
       (1) require any licensee in an amateur radio service to 
     notify and obtain prior approval from a community association 
     concerning installation of an outdoor antenna;
       (2) permit a community association to prohibit installation 
     of any antenna or antenna support structure by a licensee in 
     an amateur radio service on common property not under the 
     exclusive use or control of the licensee; and
       (3) subject to the standards specified in paragraphs (1) 
     and (2) of subsection (a), permit a community association to 
     establish reasonable written rules concerning height, 
     location, size, and aesthetic impact of, and installation 
     requirements for, outdoor antennas and support structures for 
     the purpose of conducting communications in the amateur radio 
     services.

     SEC. 703. AFFIRMATION OF LIMITED PREEMPTION OF STATE AND 
                   LOCAL LAND USE REGULATION.

       The Commission may not change section 97.15(b) of title 47, 
     Code of Federal Regulations, which shall remain applicable to 
     State and local land use regulation of amateur service 
     communications.

     SEC. 704. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:
       (1) Community association.--The term ``community 
     association'' means any non-profit mandatory membership 
     organization composed of owners of real estate described in a 
     declaration of covenants or created pursuant to a covenant or 
     other applicable law with respect to which a person, by 
     virtue of the person's ownership of or interest in a unit or 
     parcel, is obligated to pay for a share of real estate taxes, 
     insurance premiums, maintenance, improvement, services, or 
     other expenses related to common elements, other units, or 
     any other real estate other than the unit or parcel described 
     in the declaration.
       (2) Terms defined in regulations.--The terms ``amateur 
     radio services'', ``amateur service'', and ``amateur 
     station'' have the meanings given such terms in section 97.3 
     of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations.

[[Page H5945]]

  


        TITLE VIII--IMPROVING RURAL CALL QUALITY AND RELIABILITY

     SEC. 801. ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF VOICE COMMUNICATIONS.

       Part II of title II of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
     U.S.C. 251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 262. ENSURING THE INTEGRITY OF VOICE COMMUNICATIONS.

       ``(a) Registration and Compliance by Intermediate 
     Providers.--An intermediate provider that offers or holds 
     itself out as offering the capability to transmit covered 
     voice communications from one destination to another and that 
     charges any rate to any other entity (including an affiliated 
     entity) for the transmission shall--
       ``(1) register with the Commission; and
       ``(2) comply with the service quality standards for such 
     transmission to be established by the Commission under 
     subsection (c)(1)(B).
       ``(b) Required Use of Registered Intermediate Providers.--A 
     covered provider may not use an intermediate provider to 
     transmit covered voice communications unless such 
     intermediate provider is registered under subsection (a)(1).
       ``(c) Commission Rules.--
       ``(1) In general.--
       ``(A) Registry.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this section, the Commission shall promulgate 
     rules to establish a registry to record registrations under 
     subsection (a)(1).
       ``(B) Service quality standards.--Not later than 1 year 
     after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission 
     shall promulgate rules to establish service quality standards 
     for the transmission of covered voice communications by 
     intermediate providers.
       ``(2) Requirements.--In promulgating the rules required by 
     paragraph (1), the Commission shall--
       ``(A) ensure the integrity of the transmission of covered 
     voice communications to all customers in the United States; 
     and
       ``(B) prevent unjust or unreasonable discrimination among 
     areas of the United States in the delivery of covered voice 
     communications.
       ``(d) Public Availability of Registry.--The Commission 
     shall make the registry established under subsection 
     (c)(1)(A) publicly available on the website of the 
     Commission.
       ``(e) Scope of Application.--The requirements of this 
     section shall apply regardless of the format by which any 
     communication or service is provided, the protocol or format 
     by which the transmission of such communication or service is 
     achieved, or the regulatory classification of such 
     communication or service.
       ``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed to affect the regulatory classification of any 
     communication or service.
       ``(g) Effect on Other Laws.--Nothing in this section shall 
     be construed to preempt or expand the authority of a State 
     public utility commission or other relevant State agency to 
     collect data, or investigate and enforce State law and 
     regulations, regarding the completion of intrastate voice 
     communications, regardless of the format by which any 
     communication or service is provided, the protocol or format 
     by which the transmission of such communication or service is 
     achieved, or the regulatory classification of such 
     communication or service.
       ``(h) Exception.--The requirement under subsection (a)(2) 
     to comply with the service quality standards established 
     under subsection (c)(1)(B) shall not apply to a covered 
     provider that--
       ``(1) on or before the date that is 1 year after the date 
     of enactment of this section, has certified as a Safe Harbor 
     provider under section 64.2107(a) of title 47, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation; and
       ``(2) continues to meet the requirements under such section 
     64.2107(a).
       ``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Covered provider.--The term `covered provider' has 
     the meaning given the term in section 64.2101 of title 47, 
     Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto.
       ``(2) Covered voice communication.--The term `covered voice 
     communication' means a voice communication (including any 
     related signaling information) that is generated--
       ``(A) from the placement of a call from a connection using 
     a North American Numbering Plan resource or a call placed to 
     a connection using such a numbering resource; and
       ``(B) through any service provided by a covered provider.
       ``(3) Intermediate provider.--The term `intermediate 
     provider' means any entity that--
       ``(A) enters into a business arrangement with a covered 
     provider or other intermediate provider for the specific 
     purpose of carrying, routing, or transmitting voice traffic 
     that is generated from the placement of a call placed--
       ``(i) from an end user connection using a North American 
     Numbering Plan resource; or
       ``(ii) to an end user connection using such a numbering 
     resource; and
       ``(B) does not itself, either directly or in conjunction 
     with an affiliate, serve as a covered provider in the context 
     of originating or terminating a given call.''.

  Mr. WALDEN (during the reading). Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
to dispense with the reading of the amendment.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oregon?
  There was no objection.
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The bill was ordered to be read a third time, was read the third 
time, and passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to amend 
the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for greater transparency and 
efficiency in the procedures followed by the Federal Communications 
Commission, to consolidate certain reporting obligations of the 
Commission, and to update certain other provisions of such Act, and for 
other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________