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HR 196 114th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory procedures Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media

Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015

Introduced: January 7, 2015 Introduced by: Matsui, Doris O. Democratic · California See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 9, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Jan 7, 2015
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 7, 2015
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015

Directs the Federal Communications Commission to promulgate regulations that prohibit broadband providers, in transmitting network traffic over the broadband Internet access service of an end user, from: (1) entering an agreement with an edge provider (a provider of Internet content, applications, services, or access devices) to give preferential treatment or priority to the traffic of such edge provider in exchange for consideration (commonly referred to as "paid prioritization"); and (2) giving preferential treatment or priority to content, applications, services, or devices that are provided or operated by such broadband provider or an affiliate of such broadband provider.

Prohibits this Act from superseding any obligation or authorization of a broadband provider to address the needs of emergency communications, law enforcement, public safety, or national security authorities.

Sets forth enforcement authority under the Communications Act of 1934, with modified forfeiture standards.

What's happening now January 9, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 40 Identical bill Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2
D
Schakowsky, Janice D.
Illinois · Jan 7, 2015
 D
Takano, Mark
California · Jan 7, 2015
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 196: Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-196/
MLA
"H.R. 196: Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-196/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 196, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-196/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 196: Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-196/)
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