TELEPHONES

Amendments

Dept. of Homeland Security: take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among departmental components (H.R. 615), S4116 [11JN]

Articles and editorials

Big Brother Takes a Hit—The Courts Give an Assist To Repealing Intrusions Into the Privacy of Everyone, S2774 [12MY]

New Rules for the National Security Agency, S2775 [12MY]

Patriot Act Calls for Compromise in Congress—Proposal on NSA and Phone Records Would Go a Long Way Toward Rebalancing Security and Liberty, S2775 [12MY]

USA Freedom Act—A Smaller Big Brother, S2775 [12MY]

Bills and resolutions

Business and industry: criminalize the knowing use of commercial robocalls without prior express written consent of the recipient (see S. 1681), S4648 [25JN]

——— provide additional technical and procedural standards for artificial or prerecorded voice messages and establish such standards for live solicitations (see H.R. 852), H917 [10FE]

Copyrights: allow consumers to permanently unlock all electronic devices and media that do not infringe on existing copyrights (see H.R. 1587), H1899 [24MR]

Dept. of Commerce: promote innovation, investment, and economic growth by accelerating spectrum efficiency through a challenge prize competition (see S. 2366), S8494 [8DE] (see H.R. 4190), H9079 [8DE]

Dept. of Homeland Security: take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among departmental components (see H.R. 615), H662 [28JA]

Dept. of Justice: prevent certain monitoring and interception by Federal authorities of Federal prisoner communications that are subject to attorney-client privilege (see H.R. 3864), H7346 [29OC]

——— require electronic communication service providers that generate call detail records provide notification if the provider intends to retain such records less than the time recommended to conduct investigations (see S. 2356), S8379 [3DE]

Dept. of Transportation: establish a grant program to encourage States to enact laws to reduce injuries and deaths caused by cellphone use and texting while driving (see H.R. 2154), H2768 [30AP] (see H.R. 4014), H8240 [16NO]

——— reduce Federal highway funding to States that do not enact a law prohibiting use of certain communication devices while operating a motor vehicle (see H.R. 1392), H1721 [17MR]

FCC: commence proceedings relative to resiliency of critical telecommunications networks during times of emergency (see H.R. 3998), H8239 [16NO]

——— deny retransmission consent to a television station if a radio station of the same licensee transmits a recording without providing compensation and prohibit imposition of radio tuner mandates for mobile devices (see H.R. 1999), H2463 [23AP]

——— encourage spectrum licensees to make unused spectrum available to rural and smaller carriers to expand wireless coverage (see S. 417), S858 [9FE]

——— ensure the integrity of voice communications and prevent discrimination among areas in the delivery of such communications by requiring providers to register and comply with basic quality standards (see S. 827), S1660 [19MR] (see H.R. 2566), H3561 [21MY]

——— exempt broadband Internet access service providers from Federal universal service contributions (see H.R. 1712), H2110 [26MR]

——— expand and clarify prohibition on provision of inaccurate caller identification information (see H.R. 2669), H3914 [4JN]

——— prescribe rules regulating inmate telephone and video service rates (see H.R. 3638), H6704 [29SE]

——— prevent caller identification spoofing (see S. 1759), S5061 [14JY]

——— prohibit debt collectors from making robocalls to individuals’ cell phones (see S. 2235), S7771 [4NO]

——— prohibit universal service support of commercial mobile service through the Lifeline program (see S. 56), S57 [7JA] (see S. 1621), S4298 [18JN] (see H.R. 266), H188 [9JA]

——— provide for equitable distribution of Universal Service funds to rural States (see S. 734), S1495 [12MR]

——— provide incentives for reallocation of Federal Government spectrum for commercial use (see S. 887), S2041 [26MR] (see H.R. 1641), H2107 [26MR]

——— reform and modernize Universal Service Fund Lifeline Assistance Program (see S. 1472), S3406 [1JN] (see H.R. 2638), H3877 [3JN]

——— require a quarterly report on the Lifeline program funded by the Universal Service Fund (see S. 1545), S4021 [10JN]

——— require mobile service providers and smartphone manufacturers to enable consumers to remotely delete data from smartphones and render such devices inoperable (see S. 1076), S2400 [23AP] (see H.R. 2024), H2464 [23AP]

Federal employees: establish certain procedures for conducting in-person or telephone interactions by executive branch employees with individuals relative to audio recordings of such interactions (see S. 278), S589 [28JA] (see H.R. 2856), H4591 [23JN]

FTC: establish Office for the Prevention of Fraud Targeting Seniors (see S. 1490), S3678 [3JN] (see H.R. 2633), H3877 [3JN]

——— revise ‘‘do-not-call’’ registry regulations to prohibit politically-oriented recorded message telephone calls (see H.R. 827), H915 [10FE]

Information technology: apply first sale doctrine to any computer program that enables a machine or other product to operate (see H.R. 862), H980 [11FE]

——— limit ability of companies to share consumer geolocation information accessed through electronic communications devices (see S. 2270), S7912 [10NO]

——— specify circumstances in which a person may acquire geolocation information through an electronic communications device (see S. 237), S420 [22JA] (see H.R. 491), H531 [22JA]

Law enforcement: improve enforcement of prohibitions on robocalls, including fraudulent robocalls (see S. 1540), S4021 [10JN]

——— increase the penalty for fraudulent 9-1-1 calls that result in an emergency response from law enforcement agencies (see S. 1018), S2300 [21AP] (see H.R. 2031), H2474 [27AP]

——— regulate use of cell-site simulators (see H.R. 3871), H7389 [2NO]

——— require a warrant to obtain e-mails or cell phone location information from communications-related service providers (see H.R. 656), H703 [2FE]

Law enforcement officers: reaffirm right of individuals to record law enforcement authorities and full protection of law to possess recording devices and data saved on such devices (see H. Con. Res. 41), H2464 [23AP]

National 9-1-1 Education Month: designate (see S. Res. 159), S2568 [30AP]

National security: authorize access to certain records, make permanent certain authorities on roving surveillance, individual terrorists, and foreign surveillance, and modify access requirements for telecommunications records (see S. 2344), S8306 [2DE]

——— extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers (see S. 1035), S2301 [21AP] (see S. 1357), S2933 [14MY]

——— extend authority relative to roving surveillance, business records access, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, and modify requirements relative to FBI access to telephone and toll records (see H.R. 4270), H9374 [16DE]

——— extend authority to collect certain records, make permanent the authority for roving surveillance, and treat individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers (see S. 2295), S8021 [17NO]

National Telecommunications and Information Administration: reallocate Federal Government spectrum for commercial use and provide transparency on use of the Federal spectrum (see S. 1618), S4298 [18JN]

NLRB: require provision of lists of employees eligible to vote in labor organization elections and one additional form of personal contact information (see S. 933), S2172 [14AP] (see H.R. 1767), H2208 [14AP]

Privacy: improve privacy of electronic communications (see S. 356), S771 [4FE] (see H.R. 283), H224 [12JA]

——— provide for public disclosure of information regarding surveillance activities under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (see H.R. 2454), H3388 [19MY]

——— update privacy protections for electronic communications information that is stored by third-party service providers in order to protect consumer privacy while meeting law enforcement needs (see H.R. 699), H810 [4FE]

Rural areas: improve service in rural areas and express that no entity may unreasonably discriminate against telephone users in those areas (see H. Res. 234), H2654 [29AP]

States: ensure methods of collecting taxes and fees by private citizens on behalf of States are fair and effective and do not discriminate against interstate commerce for wireless telecommunication services (see S. 1261), S2730 [7MY] (see H.R. 1087), H1164 [25FE]

Taxation: repeal excise tax on telephone use and other communications services (see S. 116), S59 [7JA]

——— restrict any State or local jurisdiction from imposing a new discriminatory tax on cell phone services, providers, or property (see H.R. 4287), H9690 [17DE]

Technology: prohibit the unauthorized remote shut down of a cellular phone (see H.R. 791), H854 [5FE]

——— require multi-line telephone systems to have a default configuration that permits users to directly call 9-1-1 without dialing any additional digits or codes (see H.R. 4167), H9010 [3DE]

Telecommunications: encourage spectrum licensees to make unused spectrum available to rural and smaller carriers to expand wireless coverage (see H.R. 3103), H5290 [16JY]

——— make it illegal to alter or remove the unique equipment identification number of a mobile electronic device (see S. 1949), S6379 [5AU]

Terrorism: require a report on U.S. strategy to combat terrorist use of social media (see H.R. 3654), H6749 [30SE]

Cloture motions

National security: extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers (S. 1357), motion to proceed, S3201 [21MY], S3314 [23MY]

Letters

Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act: Representative Goodlatte, Committee on the Judiciary (House), H9315 [15DE]

——— Representative Nunes, Committee on Intelligence (House, Select), H9315 [15DE]

——— Representative Royce, Commitee on Foreign Affairs (House), H9315 [15DE]

Electronic communications privacy improvement: several privacy, civil rights, and technology organizations, S774 [4FE]

FCC rules regulating inmate telephone and video service rates: several Representatives, E1502 [21OC]

National Security Agency gathering of foreign intelligence information under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act using U.S. person identifiers: James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, H4130 [10JN]

Motions

National security: extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers (S. 1357), S3201 [21MY]

Remarks in House

Dept. of Defense: prohibit funding to gather foreign intelligence information under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act using U.S. person identifiers, H4130, H4131 [10JN]

Dept. of Homeland Security: take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among departmental components (H.R. 615), H677–H680 [2FE], H4578, H4579 [23JN], E145 [2FE], E952 [23JN], E960 [24JN]

Dept. of Justice: prohibit funding to gather foreign intelligence information under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act using U.S. person identifiers, H3725–H3727 [2JN]

——— prohibit funding to transfer cell site simulators or similar cell phone tower mimicking technology to State and local law enforcement agencies, H3724 [2JN]

Dept. of Transportation: establish a grant program to encourage States to enact laws to reduce injuries and deaths caused by cellphone use and texting while driving, H7598 [3NO]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: include outstanding payments owed to certain contracted entities in quarterly reports on the financial status of the Veterans Health Administration and report on national call center effectiveness, H2593 [29AP]

Farmers Telephone Co.: anniversary, E1325 [18SE]

FBI: prohibit funding to operate or disseminate a cell-site simulator or international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catcher except pursuant to a court order that identifies an individual, account, address, or personal device, H3795, H3796 [3JN]

FCC: prescribe rules regulating inmate telephone and video service rates, E1502 [21OC]

Intelligence services: end of bulk collection of records under National Security Agency telephone metadata program, H8418 [30NO]

——— end the bulk collection of records under National Security Agency telephone metadata program and reform Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court and intelligence collections procedures, H802 [4FE]

Interstate 35 Telephone Co.: anniversary, E1291 [16SE]

Law enforcement: require a warrant to obtain e-mails or cell phone location information from communications-related service providers (H.R. 656), H8654 [1DE]

National security: extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, H4340 [12JN]

——— extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers (S. 1035), H2374 [22AP]

NLRB: require provision of lists of employees eligible to vote in labor organization elections and one additional form of personal contact information, H1778 [19MR]

Privacy: update privacy protections for electronic communications information that is stored by third-party service providers in order to protect consumer privacy while meeting law enforcement needs (H.R. 699), H3773 [3JN], H6845 [7OC]

Technology: require multi-line telephone systems to have a default configuration that permits users to directly call 9-1-1 without dialing any additional digits or codes (H.R. 4167), H9006–H9008 [3DE]

Terrorism: require a report on U.S. strategy to combat terrorist use of social media (H.R. 3654), H9091 [9DE], H9314–H9318 [15DE], H9341 [16DE]

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority: strike waiver to requirement for full cellular communication service in the Metrorail system, H3853, H3854 [3JN]

Remarks in Senate

Dept. of Homeland Security: take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among departmental components (H.R. 615), S4116, S4117 [11JN]

FCC: prohibit debt collectors from making robocalls to individuals’ cell phones, S7604, S7636 [29OC]

FTC: establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund to strengthen the ‘‘do-not-call’’ registry, S2010 [26MR]

National 9-1-1 Education Month: designate (S. Res. 159), S2589 [30AP]

National security: extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, S3315 [23MY], S3435, S3439 [2JN]

——— extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers (S. 1035), S2309 [21AP], S2312 [22AP]

——— extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers (S. 1357), S2947 [14MY], S2953, S3005 [18MY], S3009, S3012 [19MY], S3113–S3175 [20MY]

——— extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers (S. 1357), motion to proceed, S3201 [21MY], S3253, S3278, S3300, S3302 [22MY], S3314 [23MY]

——— extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, unanimous-consent request, S3314, S3315 [23MY], S3331 [31MY]

Privacy: call for comprehensive review of all data collected by public and private entities relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, S3278 [22MY]

——— improve privacy of electronic communications (S. 356), S773–S775 [4FE]

Telecommunications: require carriers to provide call location information to law enforcement during emergencies, S1452 [12MR]

Verizon Communications, Inc.: use of supercookie tracking technology that allows advertising companies to track online activities of wireless customers without customer consent, S634 [29JA]

Reports filed

Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) Interoperable Communications Act: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate) (H.R. 615) (S. Rept. 114–53), S3236 [21MY]

Texts of

H.R. 615, Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) Interoperable Communications Act, S4116 [11JN], H677 [2FE], H4578 [23JN]

H.R. 3654, Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act, H9314 [15DE]

S. 1035, authority extension relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, S2305 [21AP]

S. 1357, extend authority relating to roving surveillance, access to business records, and individual terrorists as agents of foreign powers, S2935 [14MY]

S. Res. 159, National 9-1-1 Education Month, S2580 [30AP]