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HR 3850 106th Congress House

Independent Telecommunications Consumer Enhancement Act of 2000

Official title: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to promote deployment of advanced services and foster the development of competition for the benefit of consumers in al… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to promote deployment of advanced services and foster the development of competition for the benefit of consumers in all regions of the nation by relieving unnecessary burdens on the Nation's two percent local exchange telecommunications carriers, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 21, 2000 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) 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 15 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 4, 2000
Received in the Senate.
Oct 3, 2000
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Oct 3, 2000
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8682-8684)
Oct 3, 2000
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8682-8684)
Oct 3, 2000
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3850.
Oct 3, 2000
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8682-8686)
Oct 3, 2000
Mrs. Cubin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Oct 3, 2000
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 557.
Oct 3, 2000
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 106-926.
Sep 14, 2000
Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection Discharged.
Sep 14, 2000
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Sep 14, 2000
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 16, 2000
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
Mar 8, 2000
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Mar 8, 2000
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 4, 2000

Received in the Senate.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Independent Telecommunications Consumer Enhancement Act of 2000 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to define a "two percent carrier" as a local telecommunications exchange carrier with fewer than two percent of the Nation's subscriber lines installed in the aggregate nationwide.

Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in adopting rules that apply to incumbent local exchange carriers, to adopt separate and less burdensome rules and requirements for two percent carriers which take into account the more limited resources available to such carriers and the greater burden such rules impose on such carriers and their customers. Authorizes a two percent carrier to seek a waiver or reconsideration of an adopted rule which does not impose less burdensome rules and requirements upon such carriers.

Prohibits the FCC from requiring a two percent carrier to file cost allocation manuals or Automated Reporting and Management Information systems.

Prohibits the FCC from adopting or enforcing any regulation which impairs the ability of a two percent carrier to integrate its operations in one or more entities, at its discretion.

States that the participation or withdrawal from participation by a two percent carrier of one or more study areas in the common line tariff administered and filed by the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) or any successor tariff or administrator shall not obligate such carrier to participate or withdraw from participation in such tariff for any other study area. Authorizes a two percent carrier to elect to be regulated by the FCC under price cap regulation, or to withdraw from such regulation, for one or more of its study areas at any time.

Prohibits the FCC from reviewing any mergers or acquisitions between two percent carriers or their affiliates.

Permits two percent carriers to introduce new telecommunications services by filing a tariff on one day's notice, without making any other showing before the FCC in advance of such filing.

Allows any two percent carrier to deaverage its interstate switched or special rates and file contract-based tariffs for interstate switched or special access services immediately upon certifying to the FCC that an unaffiliated carrier has engaged in facilities- or resale-based entry within such carrier's service area. Prohibits the FCC from regulating the rates charged by a two percent carrier after such certification. Allows such a carrier to participate in the common line tariff administered and filed by the NECA or any successor tariff or administrator by electing to include one or more of its study areas in such tariff.

Requires the FCC to determine: (1) within 45 days after application that the public interest, convenience, and necessity will be served by a merger or acquisition between two percent carriers; and (2) within 90 days a petition by a two percent carrier for reconsideration or waiver of a rule, policy, or other FCC requirement (as authorized under this Act).

 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3850: Independent Telecommunications Consumer Enhancement Act of 2000. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3850/
MLA
"H.R. 3850: Independent Telecommunications Consumer Enhancement Act of 2000." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3850/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3850, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3850/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3850: Independent Telecommunications Consumer Enhancement Act of 2000](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3850/)
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