118th Congress · HOUSE BILLBILL

H.R. 4224 — To authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce its own forfeiture penalties with respect to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment.

“To authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce its own forfeiture penalties with respect to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment.”

Science, technology, communications

Introduced Jun 20, 2023

Last action Jun 23, 2023

Pipeline · Bill → Law

Step 1

Introduced

Jun 20, 2023

Step 2

Referred

Jun 23, 2023

E&C · Judiciary

Step 3

Committee

Step 4

House floor

Step 5

Senate

Step 6

Resolve Changes

Step 7

Signed

SummaryCRS Summary

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.

Provisions · 1 sectionsIntroduced in House

Timeline · 4 actions

Jun 23, 2023

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Jun 20, 2023

Introduced in House

Jun 20, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Jun 20, 2023