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FCC Legal Enforcement Act

12/7/2023, 5:05 PM

Summary of Bill S 2095

Bill 118 s 2095, also known as the FCC Legal Enforcement Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the United States Congress. The bill aims to strengthen the enforcement capabilities of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by providing additional resources and authority to crack down on violations of telecommunications laws.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the authorization of additional funding for the FCC to hire more staff and invest in technology and equipment needed to effectively enforce telecommunications regulations. This would allow the FCC to more effectively investigate and prosecute violations such as illegal robocalls, spam texts, and other forms of unwanted communication.

Additionally, the FCC Legal Enforcement Act would grant the FCC greater authority to impose penalties on individuals and companies found to be in violation of telecommunications laws. This could include fines, license revocations, and other punitive measures to deter future violations. Overall, supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to strengthen the FCC's enforcement capabilities in order to protect consumers and ensure a fair and competitive telecommunications market. Critics, however, raise concerns about potential overreach and the impact on businesses operating in the telecommunications industry. As the bill continues to make its way through the legislative process, it will be important for lawmakers to carefully consider the potential implications and weigh the need for stronger enforcement against concerns about regulatory overreach.

Congressional Summary of S 2095

FCC Legal Enforcement Act

This bill gives the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authority to pursue specified unpaid fines for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) via litigation. The TCPA prohibits certain telemarketing calls made without the recipient’s consent and using automatic dialing technology or artificial and prerecorded voice messages. 

Under current law, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has authority to pursue unpaid fines for violations of the TCPA. Under the bill, if DOJ does not pursue an unpaid fine within a specified time period, the FCC may do so. The bill directs the FCC to prioritize the collection of unpaid fines over $25 million. 

Current Status of Bill S 2095

Bill S 2095 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since June 21, 2023. Bill S 2095 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on June 21, 2023.  Bill S 2095's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. as of June 21, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 2095

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
0
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 2095

Primary Policy Focus

Science, Technology, Communications

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