IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2007

A bill to amend the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999, and for other purposes.

2/26/2008--Passed Senate amended. IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2007 -
(Sec. 2) Amends the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 to impose on IP-enabled voice service providers engaged in interstate or foreign communication a requirement to provide 9-1-1 service, including enhanced 9-1-1 service, to its subscribers. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue regulations granting IP-enabled voice service providers right of access to 9-1-1 components that are necessary to provide 9-1-1 service, on the same rates, terms, and conditions that are provided to commercial mobile service providers. Requires the providers to establish a point of contact for public safety and government officials relative to 9-1-1 service and access. Authorizes the FCC to delegate enforcement authority to state agencies or programs with emergency communications jurisdiction. Authorizes the FCC to require any provider of a voice service that is a substitute for telephone exchange service to provide 9-1-1 service, including enhanced 9-1-1 service.
(Sec. 3) Requires that, when IP-enabled voice service or alternative emergency communications service is involved, there be parity in liability (as compared to local exchange companies and others) for service carriers, users, and public safety answering points (facilities designated to receive 9-1-1 calls and route them to emergency personnel) (PSAPs). Defines "alternative emergency communications service" as the provision of emergency information to a PSAP via wire or radio communications, possibly including 9-1-1 and enhanced 9-1-1 services.
(Sec. 4) Declares that nothing in this Act, the Communications Act of 1934, the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999, or any FCC regulation or order prevents states, their subdivisions, or Indian tribes from imposing a fee on or collecting a fee from IP-enabled voice services to support 9-1-1 or E-9-1-1 services.
(Sec. 5) Requires the FCC to report annually to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce on the status in each state of the collection and distribution of 9-1-1 fees.
(Sec. 6) Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to require the E-9-1-1 Implementation Coordination Office to develop a national plan for migrating to a national IP-enabled emergency network. Requires, after plan completion, grants for migration to such a network. Authorizes the FCC to compile a list of PSAP contact information, as well as contact information for 9-1-1 component providers, to assist providers in complying with this Act and specified provisions of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act. Allows the FCC to make any part of that information available to the public to improve public safety. Requires the FCC to work cooperatively with public safety organizations, industry participants, and the E-9-1-1 Implementation Coordination Office to develop best practices that promote consistency.
(Sec. 7) Requires the FCC to enforce the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 as if that Act was part of the Communications Act of 1934 and deems any violation to be a violation of the Communications Act of 1934.
(Sec. 8) Sets deadlines for:
(1) the FCC to remit all amounts promised for the completion of an update to the Report on Technical and Operational Issues Impacting the Provision of Wireless Enhanced 9-1-1 Services; and
(2) the filing of related written findings.


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Sponsor

• Sen. Bill Nelson [D, FL]
• and 3 Co-Sponsors
  • Sen. Hillary Clinton [D, NY]
  • Sen. Frank Lautenberg [D, NJ]
  • Sen. Olympia Snowe [R, ME]
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Committees

• Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Amendments

This bill has 1 amendments. See All AmendmentsHide All Amendments

Amendments to S.428

Number	Status	Purpose
S.Amdt.4086	Pass	To clarify the FCC's authority to require 9-1-1 service, and for other purposes.

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by Senate		Voted on by House		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
January 30, 2007		February 26, 2008

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All Bill Actions

• Feb 27, 2008: Held at the desk.
• Feb 27, 2008: Received in the House.
• Feb 27, 2008: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
• Passed by Unanimous Consent in the Senate on Feb 26, 2008. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
• Feb 26, 2008: The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
• Feb 26, 2008: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
• Added to calendar on Aug 03, 2007: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 327..
• Aug 03, 2007: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-142.
• Apr 25, 2007: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
• Apr 25, 2007: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Date of scheduled consideration. SR-253. 2:30 p.m.
• Apr 10, 2007: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held.
• Jan 30, 2007: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
• Introduced on Jan 30, 2007.

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Related Issue Areas:

• Telecommunication
• Administrative procedure
• Congress
• Congressional reporting requirements
• 21 more
• Consumer education
• Consumers
• Disabled
• Emergency communication systems
• Emergency management
• Executive departments
• Federal Communications Commission
• Government information
• Government paperwork
• Government publicity
• Independent regulatory commissions
• Internet
• Law
• Legislation
• Planning
• Politics and government
• State and local government
• State politics and government
• Technology
• Telecommunication rates
• Telephone

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In the News

March 12, 2008 New VoIP Bill Solidifies E911 Requirements

The IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act (S.428) will vest the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with the authority to mandate that ...

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Source: TMC Net, CT

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February 28, 2008 Senate Approves 'Enhanced' 911 VoIP Bill

The bill, S. 428, would allow cable companies and other VoIP providers the same type of interconnection access as traditional phone providers so that 911 ...

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Source: PC Magazine

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February 28, 2008 Senate Passes VoIP/Public Safety Bill

The US Senate approved S. 428, the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act. The measure would require Internet telephone companies to offer ...

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Source: Fire Chief, IL

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Blog Coverage

April 09, 2008 The Truffula Seed

The Truffula Seed Green Legislation Update - Issues with water bill, Money for conservation bank Posted: April 8th, 2008, 1: ... Resources Committee sent S.428 by Senator Wes Hayes (R-York) to the full Senate for its

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April 08, 2008 Green Legislation Update - Issues with water bill, Money for ...

Senator Phil Leventis (D-Sumter) has placed a Minority Report on the bill which ensures the bill will remain on the contested calendar unless the Senate votes to move S.428 into a Special Order slot. If the bill receives this special ...

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Source: The Truffula Seed | Charleston City Paper

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April 05, 2008 This Week in the Senate

Other bills of interest pending the calendar are: S.428 (Hayes), enacting the SC Water Withdrawal and Permitting, Use and Reporting Act; S.80 (Knotts), relating to real property and trespassing; and H.3451 (Cotty), allowing for ...

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