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Press Releases |
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Senate Commerce Committee Approves
the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005
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Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today reported S. 1063, the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005, by unanimous consent. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) originally introduced the bill, which was co-sponsored by Committee Members Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and John Kerry (D-Mass.).
During the mark-up, the Committee adopted a substitute amendment offered by Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Senator Burns, and Senator Nelson. The amendment, which was adopted by unanimous consent, was necessitated primarily because the FCC’s IP-enabled voice service provider Report and Order was released after S. 1063 was originally introduced.
S. 1063, as amended, would accomplish three primary objectives.
First, the bill provides authority and guidance to the FCC so that they can craft a comprehensive scheme to address 911 and E-911 services. Specifically, it gives the FCC authority and direction to set regulations to ensure that 911 and E-911 services are available to Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) customers taking into consideration the technological and operational feasibility of providing such service. It charges the FCC with setting a reasonable time frame for companies to come into compliance with the regulations. It also provides states with authority to enforce the FCC’s rules.
Second, the legislation ensures that IP phone companies have access to E911 components that may be controlled by competitors, which the FCC Order published in June did not do.
Third, S. 1063 provides the liability protection that public safety and industry groups need to be able to provide 911 service. This ensures public safety professionals are protected when taking calls from IP Voice service providers at all Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). Industry also needs this protection in order to acquire needed capital and insurance to be able to continue to bring this new and innovative service to consumers. The liability protection that is afforded in this bill is the same liability protection that current law extends to wireline and wireless companies for providing 911 service.
In addition, the bill provides a waiver process by which IP-enabled voice service providers may continue to add subscribers after December 31, 2005. These provisions address additional issues for IP Voice service providers in making E-911 calls in a system built around a wireline network. A waiver requires a provider to demonstrate to the FCC that the provider is technically or operationally unable to comply with its rules and then permits the FCC to grant waivers of limited duration, of not more than a year, that may also be limited in geographic area.
The Committee accepted an amendment by Senator Inouye which limited the new, expedited waiver authority granted to the FCC. The terms of the bill direct the FCC to grant or deny expedited waivers to service providers within 45 days or the waiver will be deemed granted. Inouye's amendment would sunset the expedited waiver authority after four years. The FCC continues to retain its underlying authority to waive any of its rules for good cause.
Along with the substitute and Senator Inouye’s waiver amendment, the Committee adopted two other amendments to S. 1063. A Manager’s Amendment that made technical changes and minor adjustments to the underlying bill was approved by unanimous consent. An amendment offered by Senator John Sununu (R-N.H.), which ensured that nothing in the Act provides the FCC the authority to require specific technology to carry out provisions of the Act, passed 13-9.
Attached is a copy of the bill as amended.
The bill will proceed to the Senate floor for consideration at a time determined by the Senate leadership.
Click here for a copy of the bill as reported.
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Implement the U.S.-Russian Polar Bear Treaty
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today unanimously approved S. 2013, the United States-Russia Polar Bear Conservation and Management Implementation Act.
This bill, which implements the provisions of the Polar Bear Treaty signed by the United States and the Russian Federation, was introduced by Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and is...
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Federal Trade Commission Nominations
- WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today approved the following nominations by unanimous consent:
William Kovacic to be a Federal Trade Commissioner
Thomas Rosch to be a Federal Trade Commissioner
PN842 - Coast Guard Admirals
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17th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves SPY BLOCK Act
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today reported S. 687, the Software Principles Yielding Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge Act or the “SPY BLOCK Act,” by unanimous consent. The bill would outlaw a number of activities that are associated with spyware and strengthen the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s enforcement author...
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Advance Transportation Security
- WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today unanimously approved today the “Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2005,” S. 1052, introduced by Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.)
The comprehensive legislation reasserts th...
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Amend the Age Restriction for Pilots
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved a substitute amendment offered by Senator Burns to S. 65, a bill to amend age restrictions for pilots, by voice vote. The bill was introduced by Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.).
Since 1960, federal regulations have specified that individuals age 60 and older may not serve as airline pilots on an...
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves the Weather Modification Research and Technology Transfer Act of 2005
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved S. 517, the Weather Modification Research and Technology Transfer Act of 2005 by voice vote. The bill is sponsored by Committee Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas)
S. 517 establishes within the Department of Commerce the Weather Modification Advisory and Research Board (WMARB) to promote the ...
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Extension of Aviation War Risk Insurance
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WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously approved today the “War Risk Extension Act of 2005,” S. 1102, introduced by Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) and co-sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Conrad Burns (R-Mont.).
S. 1102 extends the Federal Government’s existing war risk insurance co...
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17th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves the Engine Coolant and Antifreeze Bittering Agent Act of 2005
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today reported S. 1110, the Engine Coolant and Antifreeze Bittering Agent Act of 2005, by voice vote. Consumer Affairs Subcommittee Chairman George Allen (R-Va.) originally introduced the bill, which was co-sponsored by Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) Consumer ...
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15th - |
Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens Addresses U.S. Climate Change Science Program Workshop
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WASHINGTON, DC -- Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today addressed the U.S. Climate Change Science Program Workshop. Chairman Stevens’ remarks focused on the need to rely on sound science when making policy decisions.
The Climate Change Science Program Workshop is being held over three days and is sponsored by 13 government agencies. More information about the c...
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15th - |
Chairman Stevens Introduces Legislation to Implement the U.S.-Russian Polar Bear Treaty
- Washington, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has introduced the United States-Russia Polar Bear Conservation and Management Implementation Act to execute the provisions of the Polar Bear Treaty signed by the United States and the Russian Federation. Committee Co-Chairman Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) is a cosponsor of the bill.
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9th - |
Chairman Stevens Introduces Legislation to Repeal Section 5 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act
- Washington, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has introduced legislation, S. 1977, a bill to repeal Section 5 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which has precluded upgrades to the Cherry Point refinery in Washington State.
S. 1977 removes the prohibition on federal agencies from issuing a permit for a marine terminal or dock i...
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8th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Open Forum on Decency
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Washington, D.C. – Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today announced that the Full Committee is planning to hold an "Open Forum on Decency" on November 29, 2005. A specific time and location will be announced at a later time.
Representatives from wide variety of groups, including cable, broadcasting, and other content industries, are expected to attend ...
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4th - |
Senate Confirms
Shana Dale to be Deputy Administrator of NASA
- The U.S. Senate this afternoon confirmed Shana Dale to be Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration by Unanimous Consent. Ms. Dale received the unanimous support of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee when her nomination was reported out of the Committee on Wednesday, November 2, 2005. ###
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3rd - |
Passenger Rail Investment & Improvement Act Added to Budget Reconciliation Bill in Senate
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Calling it one last chance for the Senate to be heard on whether it wants a national passenger rail system, Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi today asked the Senate to adopt as an amendment to the budget reconciliation bill, the Amtrak reform bill he introduced in July. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 93-6.
“I know it is highly unusual to add an authorizati...
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3rd - |
Senate Approves Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005
- WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Senate today passed the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 as part of the Budget Reconciliation Bill by a vote of 52-47.
The legislation, offered by U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), establishes two specific dates that will advance the transi...
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2nd - |
Commerce Committee Approves Nominations
- WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today approved the following nominations by unanimous consent:
Shana Dale to be Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mark Rosenker to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board
Kathryn Higgins to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board
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2nd - |
Chairman Stevens Argues Against
the Ensign Amendment
to Reduce Converter Box Program Funds
- Washington, D.C. – During debate today on the Senate’s Budget Reconciliation Act, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) opposed an amendment offered by Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.) which would divert $2 billion from a converter box subsidy program contained in the Commerce Committee-approved Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 20...
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2nd - |
current Press Release |
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2nd - |
Opening Statement of Senator Ted Stevens
at Committee Mark-up of S.1063 and Nominees
- We are here today to consider S. 1063, the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005. Public safety has been a focus of the Committee and has been deliberately woven into the Commerce Committee’s agenda this year, especially in the context of communications. The Committee’s agenda has included numerous public safety-related hearings and critical pieces of legislatio...
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