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Bill116th CongressFiled Jan 10, 2019Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 451

Don't Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house (Sep 23, 2020)

Don't Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020

This bill repeals a provision requiring the reallocation of spectrum currently used by public safety entities and otherwise addresses 9–1–1 fees and charges collected for the purpose of supporting 9–1–1 services.

Specifically, the bill repeals the requirement for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reallocate and auction the 470-512 MHz band (referred to as the T-Band spectrum). The T-Band spectrum is a frequency range currently utilized by public safety entities in certain urban areas.

The bill also requires the FCC to issue rules designating acceptable purposes and functions for the obligation or expenditure of 9–1–1 fees or charges. Such purposes and functions shall be limited to the support and implementation of 9–1–1 services and the operational expenses of public safety answering points (i.e., the points where emergency calls are routed), but a state or taxing jurisdiction may petition the FCC for a determination that other purposes or functions should be treated as acceptable purposes or functions.

In addition, the bill establishes the Ending 9–1–1 Fee Diversion Now Strike Force, to which the FCC must submit any evidence it obtains that a state or taxing jurisdiction is diverting 9–1–1 fees or charges. The strike force must (1) study how the federal government can end such diversion through a determination of the effectiveness of laws and other constraints, (2) consider whether criminal penalties should be implemented to prevent further diversion, and (3) determine the impacts of such diversion.

What just happenedSep 24, 2020

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

Who’s behind it

Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16](D-NY)Sponsor
24 cosponsors21 D3 R
Read on Congress.gov
24cosponsors2committees22actions3related bills7subjects
  1. Sep 24, 2020IntroReferral

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

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  2. Sep 23, 2020FloorH38800

    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  3. Sep 23, 2020FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. Sep 23, 2020FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 - 5 (Roll no. 201). (text: CR 9/21/2020 H4614-4615)

  5. Sep 23, 2020Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 - 5 (Roll no. 201).

  6. Sep 23, 2020FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4773-4774)

  7. Sep 21, 2020FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  8. Sep 21, 2020FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 451.

  9. Sep 21, 2020FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4614-4616)

  10. Sep 21, 2020FloorH30300

    Mr. McNerney moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  11. Sep 18, 2020CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 421.

  12. Sep 18, 2020CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-521.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  13. Sep 18, 2020Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-521.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  14. Jul 15, 2020Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  15. Jul 15, 2020Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  16. Mar 10, 2020Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  17. Mar 10, 2020Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  18. Feb 27, 2020Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  19. Jan 25, 2019Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  20. Jan 10, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  21. Jan 10, 2019IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  22. Jan 10, 2019IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed HouseSep 23, 202053

Don't Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020

This bill repeals a provision requiring the reallocation of spectrum currently used by public safety entities and otherwise addresses 9–1–1 fees and charges collected for the purpose of supporting 9–1–1 services.

Specifically, the bill repeals the requirement for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reallocate and auction the 470-512 MHz band (referred to as the T-Band spectrum). The T-Band spectrum is a frequency range currently utilized by public safety entities in certain urban areas.

The bill also requires the FCC to issue rules designating acceptable purposes and functions for the obligation or expenditure of 9–1–1 fees or charges. Such purposes and functions shall be limited to the support and implementation of 9–1–1 services and the operational expenses of public safety answering points (i.e., the points where emergency calls are routed), but a state or taxing jurisdiction may petition the FCC for a determination that other purposes or functions should be treated as acceptable purposes or functions.

In addition, the bill establishes the Ending 9–1–1 Fee Diversion Now Strike Force, to which the FCC must submit any evidence it obtains that a state or taxing jurisdiction is diverting 9–1–1 fees or charges. The strike force must (1) study how the federal government can end such diversion through a determination of the effectiveness of laws and other constraints, (2) consider whether criminal penalties should be implemented to prevent further diversion, and (3) determine the impacts of such diversion.

Reported to HouseSep 18, 20207

Don't Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020

This bill repeals a provision requiring the reallocation of spectrum currently used by public safety entities and otherwise addresses 9–1–1 fees and charges collected for the purpose of supporting 9–1–1 services.

Specifically, the bill repeals the requirement for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reallocate and auction the 470-512 MHz band (referred to as the T-Band spectrum). The T-Band spectrum is a frequency range currently utilized by public safety entities in certain urban areas.

The bill also requires the FCC to issue rules designating acceptable purposes and functions for the obligation or expenditure of 9–1–1 fees or charges. Such purposes and functions shall be limited to the support and implementation of 9–1–1 services and the operational expenses of public safety answering points (i.e., the points where emergency calls are routed), but a state or taxing jurisdiction may petition the FCC for a determination that other purposes or functions should be treated as acceptable purposes or functions.

In addition, the bill establishes the Ending 9–1–1 Fee Diversion Now Strike Force, to which the FCC must submit any evidence it obtains that a state or taxing jurisdiction is diverting 9–1–1 fees or charges. The strike force must (1) study how the federal government can end such diversion through a determination of the effectiveness of laws and other constraints, (2) consider whether criminal penalties should be implemented to prevent further diversion, and (3) determine the impacts of such diversion.

Introduced in HouseJan 10, 2019

Don't Break Up the T-Band Act of 2019

This bill repeals the requirement for the Federal Communications Commission to reallocate and auction the 470-512 MHz band (referred to as the "T-Band spectrum"). The T-Band spectrum is a frequency range currently utilized by public-safety entities in certain urban areas.

Don't Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020 — Informed