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S 40 114th Congress Senate

Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015

Official title: A bill to direct the Federal Communications Commission to promulgate regulations that prohibit certain preferential treatment or prioritization of Internet traffic.

Introduced: January 7, 2015 See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory proceduresFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Internet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social media
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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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 7, 2015
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S60; text of measure as introduced: CR S60-61)
Jan 7, 2015
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action January 7, 2015

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S60; text of measure as introduced: CR S60-61)

 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.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 196 Identical bill Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 3 Independent 1
D
Shaheen, Jeanne
New Hampshire · Feb 5, 2015
 D
Heinrich, Martin
New Mexico · Jan 7, 2015
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Jan 7, 2015
 D
Whitehouse, Sheldon
Rhode Island · Jan 7, 2015
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 40: Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-40/
MLA
"S. 40: Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-40/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 40, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-40/.
Markdown link
[S. 40: Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2015](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-40/)
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