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HR 2369 105th Congress House

Wireless Privacy Enhancement Act of 1998

Official title: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to strengthen and clarify prohibitions on electronic eavesdropping, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 31, 1997 See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative procedureCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCommerceCrime and Law Enforcement
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Criminal investigationCryptographyEavesdroppingElectronic surveillanceEmergency ManagementEmergency communication systemsEquipment and suppliesFederal Communications CommissionFines (Penalties)ForfeitureGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernmental investigationsIndependent regulatory commissionsLabelingLawPolice communication systemsRadioRight of privacyWireless communication
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 22 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 5, 1998
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Mar 5, 1998
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 5, 1998
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 414 - 1 (Roll no. 38).
Mar 5, 1998
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Mar 5, 1998
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mar 5, 1998
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2369.
Mar 5, 1998
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
Mar 5, 1998
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 377 and Rule XXIII.
Mar 5, 1998
The Speaker designated the Honorable Ken Calvert to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Mar 5, 1998
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2369 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Commerce now printed in the bill. Measure will be read by section. Bill is open to amendments.
Mar 5, 1998
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 377. (consideration: CR H858-863)
Mar 5, 1998
Rule H. Res. 377 passed House.
Mar 4, 1998
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 377 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2369 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Commerce now printed in the bill. Measure will be read by section. Bill is open to amendments.
Mar 3, 1998
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 243.
Mar 3, 1998
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 105-425.
Feb 26, 1998
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Feb 26, 1998
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 29, 1997
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Oct 29, 1997
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Aug 8, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Jul 31, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Jul 31, 1997
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Mar 5, 1998 House · vote #38 On Passage Passed 414–1 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 514 – An amendment made in order by the rule which consists of a substitute text offered by the Committee on Commer… Agreed to Mar 5, 1998
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 Latest action March 5, 1998

Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Wireless Privacy Enhancement Act of 1998 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit modifying any electronic communication device, equipment, or system in a manner which causes it to fail to comply with regulations governing electronic eavesdropping devices. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations (and review and revise them when necessary in response to changes in technology and behavior) denying equipment authorization for any scanning receiver capable of: (1) receiving transmissions in frequencies allocated to the domestic cellular or personal communications service; (2) being readily altered to receive such transmissions; (3) being equipped with decoders that convert domestic cellular or personal communications service or protected specialized mobile radio service transmissions to analog voice audio, or which convert protected paging service transmissions to alphanumeric text; or (4) being equipped with devices that otherwise encode encrypted radio transmissions for purposes of unauthorized interception.

Directs the FCC, with respect to scanning receivers capable of receiving transmissions in frequencies used by commercial mobile services and that are shared by public safety users, to examine methods and prescribe regulations to enhance the privacy of users of such frequencies. Requires tampering prevention measures and warning labels to be considered by the FCC in prescribing such regulations.

Applies penalties for the unauthorized publication or use of electronic communications to the unauthorized receipt, intentional interception, or divulgence of any such communication. Directs the FCC to investigate alleged violations and proceed to initiate action to impose forfeiture penalties.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HRES 377 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2369) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to strengthen and clarify p…
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1
D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jul 31, 1997
MCCARTHY, KAREN
· Jul 31, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2369: Wireless Privacy Enhancement Act of 1998. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2369/
MLA
"H.R. 2369: Wireless Privacy Enhancement Act of 1998." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2369/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2369, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2369/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2369: Wireless Privacy Enhancement Act of 1998](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-2369/)
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