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HR 279 114th Congress House

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to limit the authority of the Federal Communications Commission over providers of broadband Internet access service.

Introduced: January 12, 2015 Introduced by: Latta, Robert E. Republican · Ohio See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Internet and video services
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Internet, web applications, social mediaTelephone and wireless communication
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 16, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Jan 12, 2015
Introduced in House
Jan 12, 2015
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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 Latest action January 16, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to exclude from the definition of "common carrier" (regulated by the Federal Communications Commission [FCC] under the common carrier regulatory authority provided under title II of such Act) a provider of an information service or of advanced telecommunications capability when engaged in the provision of such service or capability.

Classifies broadband Internet access service as an "information service" under such Act (regulated by the FCC under title I of such Act using what is commonly referred to as a general "ancillary jurisdiction" to regulate only as may be necessary in the execution of its statutory functions).

Defines "broadband Internet access service" as a mass-market retail service by wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to, and receive data from, all or substantially all Internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are incidental to, and enable the operation of, the communications service, but excluding dial-up Internet access service. Provides for such definition to include a service utilizing advanced telecommunications capability under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Prohibits a provider of an information service from being: (1) treated as a telecommunications carrier when engaged in the provision of an information service, or (2) required to offer such service or any component of such service as a telecommunications service.

Excludes from the definition of: (1) "telecommunications carrier" (treated as a common carrier only to the extent that it is engaged in providing telecommunications services, except that the FCC determines whether the provision of fixed and mobile satellite service is treated as common carriage) a provider of an information service or of advanced telecommunications capability; and (2) "telecommunications service" any service that is an information service, any component of an information service, or advanced telecommunications capability.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 279: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to limit the authority of the Federal Communications Commission over providers of broadband Internet access service.. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-279/
MLA
"H.R. 279: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to limit the authority of the Federal Communications Commission over providers of broadband Internet access service.." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-279/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 279, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-279/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 279: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to limit the authority of the Federal Communications Commission over providers of broadband Internet access service.](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-279/)
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