Skip to main content
HR 514 106th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Administrative procedure Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Commerce Crime and Law Enforcement Criminal investigation Eavesdropping Electronic surveillance Emergency Management Emergency communication systems Encryption Equipment and supplies Federal Communications Commission Fines (Penalties) Forfeiture Government Operations and Politics Governmental investigations Independent regulatory commissions Law Police communication systems

Wireless Privacy Enhancement Act of 1999

Introduced: February 3, 1999 See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
 Everywhere this bill has been 24 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 3, 1999
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Feb 25, 1999
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 25, 1999
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 403 - 3 (Roll no. 28).
Feb 25, 1999
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 403 - 3 (Roll no. 28).
Feb 25, 1999
The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Feb 25, 1999
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Feb 25, 1999
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 514.
Feb 25, 1999
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
Feb 25, 1999
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 77 and Rule XXIII.
Feb 25, 1999
The Speaker designated the Honorable Ray LaHood to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Feb 25, 1999
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 514 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Points of order against consideration of the bill for failure to comply with clause 4(a) of rule XIII are waived. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. Measure will be read by section. Bill is open to amendments. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in recognition on the basis of whether the Member offering an amendment has caused it to be printed in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose. Amendments shall be considered as read.
Feb 25, 1999
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 77. (consideration: CR H801-806)
Feb 25, 1999
Rule H. Res. 77 passed House.
Feb 23, 1999
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 77 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 514 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Points of order against consideration of the bill for failure to comploy with clause 4(a) of rule XIII are waived. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. Measure will be read by section. Bill is open to amendments. During consideration of the bill for amendment, the chairman of the Committee of the Whole may accord priority in recognition on the basis of whether the Member offering an amendment has caused it to be printed in the portion of the Congressional Record designated for that purpose. Amendments shall be considered as read.
Feb 23, 1999
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 14.
Feb 23, 1999
Reported by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 106-24.
Feb 11, 1999
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Feb 11, 1999
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 10, 1999
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Feb 10, 1999
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 3, 1999
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 3, 1999
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
Feb 3, 1999
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Feb 3, 1999
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Feb 25, 1999 House · vote #28 On Passage Passed 403–3 See who voted →
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Wireless Privacy Enhancement Act of 1999 - 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 intentional divulgence of any such communication. Directs the FCC to investigate alleged violations and proceed to initiate action to impose forfeiture penalties.

What's happening now March 3, 1999

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

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1