Legis Daily

Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017

USA115th CongressS-96| Senate 
| Updated: 2/26/2018
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (8)
Joni Ernst (Republican)Angus S. King (Independent)John Thune (Republican)Mike Rounds (Republican)Jon Tester (Democratic)Claire McCaskill (Democratic)Al Franken (Democratic)Chuck Grassley (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on March 21, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require intermediate providers that offer the capability to transmit voice communications and signaling information from one destination to another, and that charge a rate to any other entity (including an affiliated entity) for such a transmission, to: (1) register with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and (2) comply with service quality standards to be established by the FCC. An "intermediate provider" is an entity that: (1) enters a business arrangement with a long-distance voice service provider that makes the initial call path choice for more than 100,000 domestic retail subscriber lines, or with another intermediate provider, to carry, route, or transmit voice traffic from a call placed from or to an end user connection using a North American Numbering Plan resource; and (2) does not itself (directly or in conjunction with an affiliate) serve as such a long-distance initial call path choice provider in the context of originating or terminating a given call. The bill prohibits such long-distance providers (including local exchange carriers, interexchange carriers, commercial mobile radio services, interconnected voice over Internet Protocol [VoIP] services, and certain non-interconnected VoIP services) from using an intermediate provider to transmit voice communications and signals unless the intermediate provider is so registered. The FCC must: (1) ensure the integrity of the transmission of voice communications to all customers in the United States, (2) prevent unjust or unreasonable discrimination among areas of the United States in the delivery of such voice communications, and (3) make a registry of intermediate providers publicly available on the FCC website. The bill shall not be construed to preempt or expand the authority of a state agency or public utility commission to collect data, or enforce state law and regulations, regarding the completion of intrastate voice communications. Certain long-distance providers that make initial call path choices are exempt from service quality standards that the FCC is required to establish under this bill if they certify under a safe harbor provision in existing FCC rules that they monitor the performance of, or do not use, intermediate providers.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline
Jan 11, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Jan 11, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 24, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-460
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 24, 2017
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Mar 21, 2017
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-6.
Mar 21, 2017
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 19.
Aug 3, 2017
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4815-4816; text: CR S4815-4816)
Aug 3, 2017
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4815-4816; text: CR S4815-4816)
Aug 4, 2017
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Aug 4, 2017
Received in the House.
Aug 4, 2017
Held at the desk.
Feb 8, 2018
Mr. Lance moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Feb 8, 2018
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H990-992)
Feb 8, 2018
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 96.
Feb 8, 2018
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lance objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
Feb 9, 2018
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR 2/8/2018 H1002)
Feb 9, 2018
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H990-991)
Feb 9, 2018
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H990-991)
Feb 9, 2018
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 14, 2018
Presented to President.
Feb 26, 2018
Signed by President.
Feb 26, 2018
Became Public Law No: 115-129.
  • January 11, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 11, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • January 24, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-460
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • January 24, 2017
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • March 21, 2017
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-6.


  • March 21, 2017
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 19.


  • August 3, 2017
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4815-4816; text: CR S4815-4816)


  • August 3, 2017
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4815-4816; text: CR S4815-4816)


  • August 4, 2017
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • August 4, 2017
    Received in the House.


  • August 4, 2017
    Held at the desk.


  • February 8, 2018
    Mr. Lance moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • February 8, 2018
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H990-992)


  • February 8, 2018
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 96.


  • February 8, 2018
    At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lance objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.


  • February 9, 2018
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR 2/8/2018 H1002)


  • February 9, 2018
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H990-991)


  • February 9, 2018
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H990-991)


  • February 9, 2018
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • February 14, 2018
    Presented to President.


  • February 26, 2018
    Signed by President.


  • February 26, 2018
    Became Public Law No: 115-129.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 115-460: Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017
  • HR 115-4986: RAY BAUM'S Act of 2018
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal preemptionGovernment information and archivesState and local government operationsTelephone and wireless communication

Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017

USA115th CongressS-96| Senate 
| Updated: 2/26/2018
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on March 21, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require intermediate providers that offer the capability to transmit voice communications and signaling information from one destination to another, and that charge a rate to any other entity (including an affiliated entity) for such a transmission, to: (1) register with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and (2) comply with service quality standards to be established by the FCC. An "intermediate provider" is an entity that: (1) enters a business arrangement with a long-distance voice service provider that makes the initial call path choice for more than 100,000 domestic retail subscriber lines, or with another intermediate provider, to carry, route, or transmit voice traffic from a call placed from or to an end user connection using a North American Numbering Plan resource; and (2) does not itself (directly or in conjunction with an affiliate) serve as such a long-distance initial call path choice provider in the context of originating or terminating a given call. The bill prohibits such long-distance providers (including local exchange carriers, interexchange carriers, commercial mobile radio services, interconnected voice over Internet Protocol [VoIP] services, and certain non-interconnected VoIP services) from using an intermediate provider to transmit voice communications and signals unless the intermediate provider is so registered. The FCC must: (1) ensure the integrity of the transmission of voice communications to all customers in the United States, (2) prevent unjust or unreasonable discrimination among areas of the United States in the delivery of such voice communications, and (3) make a registry of intermediate providers publicly available on the FCC website. The bill shall not be construed to preempt or expand the authority of a state agency or public utility commission to collect data, or enforce state law and regulations, regarding the completion of intrastate voice communications. Certain long-distance providers that make initial call path choices are exempt from service quality standards that the FCC is required to establish under this bill if they certify under a safe harbor provision in existing FCC rules that they monitor the performance of, or do not use, intermediate providers.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
5 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 11, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Jan 11, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 24, 2017

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 115-460
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jan 24, 2017
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Mar 21, 2017
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-6.
Mar 21, 2017
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 19.
Aug 3, 2017
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4815-4816; text: CR S4815-4816)
Aug 3, 2017
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4815-4816; text: CR S4815-4816)
Aug 4, 2017
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Aug 4, 2017
Received in the House.
Aug 4, 2017
Held at the desk.
Feb 8, 2018
Mr. Lance moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Feb 8, 2018
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H990-992)
Feb 8, 2018
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 96.
Feb 8, 2018
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lance objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
Feb 9, 2018
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR 2/8/2018 H1002)
Feb 9, 2018
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H990-991)
Feb 9, 2018
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H990-991)
Feb 9, 2018
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 14, 2018
Presented to President.
Feb 26, 2018
Signed by President.
Feb 26, 2018
Became Public Law No: 115-129.
  • January 11, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 11, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • January 24, 2017

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 115-460
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • January 24, 2017
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • March 21, 2017
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune without amendment. With written report No. 115-6.


  • March 21, 2017
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 19.


  • August 3, 2017
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4815-4816; text: CR S4815-4816)


  • August 3, 2017
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4815-4816; text: CR S4815-4816)


  • August 4, 2017
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • August 4, 2017
    Received in the House.


  • August 4, 2017
    Held at the desk.


  • February 8, 2018
    Mr. Lance moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • February 8, 2018
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H990-992)


  • February 8, 2018
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 96.


  • February 8, 2018
    At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Lance objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.


  • February 9, 2018
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR 2/8/2018 H1002)


  • February 9, 2018
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H990-991)


  • February 9, 2018
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H990-991)


  • February 9, 2018
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • February 14, 2018
    Presented to President.


  • February 26, 2018
    Signed by President.


  • February 26, 2018
    Became Public Law No: 115-129.
Amy Klobuchar

Amy Klobuchar

Democratic Senator

Minnesota

Cosponsors (8)
Joni Ernst (Republican)Angus S. King (Independent)John Thune (Republican)Mike Rounds (Republican)Jon Tester (Democratic)Claire McCaskill (Democratic)Al Franken (Democratic)Chuck Grassley (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 115-460: Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017
  • HR 115-4986: RAY BAUM'S Act of 2018
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal preemptionGovernment information and archivesState and local government operationsTelephone and wireless communication