Legis Daily

Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020

USA116th CongressHR-451| House 
| Updated: 9/24/2020
Eliot L. Engel

Eliot L. Engel

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (24)
Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Nita M. Lowey (Democratic)Peter T. King (Republican)Lee M. Zeldin (Republican)Kathleen M. Rice (Democratic)Sheila Jackson Lee (Democratic)Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Carolyn B. Maloney (Democratic)Max Rose (Democratic)Michael F. Doyle (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Al Green (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Conor Lamb (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Bill Pascrell (Democratic)Grace F. Napolitano (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline
Jan 10, 2019
Introduced in House
Jan 10, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 25, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Oct 30, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-2748
Introduced in Senate
Feb 27, 2020
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 10, 2020
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 10, 2020
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Jul 15, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 15, 2020
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Sep 18, 2020
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 421.
Sep 18, 2020
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-521.
Sep 21, 2020
Mr. McNerney moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 21, 2020
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4614-4616)
Sep 21, 2020
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 451.
Sep 21, 2020
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.
Sep 23, 2020
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4773-4774)
Sep 23, 2020
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)
View Vote
Sep 23, 2020
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 23, 2020
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Sep 24, 2020
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • January 10, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • January 10, 2019
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • January 25, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.


  • October 30, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-2748
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 27, 2020
    Subcommittee Hearings Held.


  • March 10, 2020
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • March 10, 2020
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .


  • July 15, 2020
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • July 15, 2020
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • September 18, 2020
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 421.


  • September 18, 2020
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-521.


  • September 21, 2020
    Mr. McNerney moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • September 21, 2020
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4614-4616)


  • September 21, 2020
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 451.


  • September 21, 2020
    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.


  • September 23, 2020
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4773-4774)


  • September 23, 2020
    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)
    View Vote


  • September 23, 2020
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • September 23, 2020
    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.


  • September 24, 2020
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 116-5928: FIRST RESPONDER Act of 2020
  • S 116-2748: Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2019
  • HR 116-2165: 9–1–1 Fee Integrity Act
Emergency communications systemsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Internet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLicensing and registrationsRadio spectrum allocationTelephone and wireless communication

Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020

USA116th CongressHR-451| House 
| Updated: 9/24/2020
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jan 10, 2019
Introduced in House
Jan 10, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 25, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Oct 30, 2019

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-2748
Introduced in Senate
Feb 27, 2020
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 10, 2020
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 10, 2020
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Jul 15, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 15, 2020
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Sep 18, 2020
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 421.
Sep 18, 2020
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-521.
Sep 21, 2020
Mr. McNerney moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 21, 2020
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4614-4616)
Sep 21, 2020
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 451.
Sep 21, 2020
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.
Sep 23, 2020
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4773-4774)
Sep 23, 2020
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)
View Vote
Sep 23, 2020
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 23, 2020
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Sep 24, 2020
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • January 10, 2019
    Introduced in House


  • January 10, 2019
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • January 25, 2019
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.


  • October 30, 2019

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-2748
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 27, 2020
    Subcommittee Hearings Held.


  • March 10, 2020
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • March 10, 2020
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .


  • July 15, 2020
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • July 15, 2020
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.


  • September 18, 2020
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 421.


  • September 18, 2020
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-521.


  • September 21, 2020
    Mr. McNerney moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • September 21, 2020
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4614-4616)


  • September 21, 2020
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 451.


  • September 21, 2020
    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.


  • September 23, 2020
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4773-4774)


  • September 23, 2020
    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)
    View Vote


  • September 23, 2020
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • September 23, 2020
    The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.


  • September 24, 2020
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Eliot L. Engel

Eliot L. Engel

Democratic Representative

New York

Cosponsors (24)
Adam B. Schiff (Democratic)Nita M. Lowey (Democratic)Peter T. King (Republican)Lee M. Zeldin (Republican)Kathleen M. Rice (Democratic)Sheila Jackson Lee (Democratic)Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Carolyn B. Maloney (Democratic)Max Rose (Democratic)Michael F. Doyle (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Adriano Espaillat (Democratic)Al Green (Democratic)Stephen F. Lynch (Democratic)Eleanor Holmes Norton (Democratic)Norma J. Torres (Democratic)Conor Lamb (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Nydia M. Velázquez (Democratic)Seth Moulton (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Grace Meng (Democratic)Bill Pascrell (Democratic)Grace F. Napolitano (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 116-5928: FIRST RESPONDER Act of 2020
  • S 116-2748: Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2019
  • HR 116-2165: 9–1–1 Fee Integrity Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Emergency communications systemsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Internet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLicensing and registrationsRadio spectrum allocationTelephone and wireless communication