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HR 451 116th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Emergency communications systems Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Licensing and registrations Radio spectrum allocation Telephone and wireless communication

Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020

Introduced: November 1, 2019 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 19 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 24, 2020
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sep 23, 2020
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Sep 23, 2020
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 23, 2020
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 410 - 5 (Roll no. 201). (text: CR 9/21/2020 H4614-4615)
Sep 23, 2020
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4773-4774)
Sep 21, 2020
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Sep 21, 2020
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 451.
Sep 21, 2020
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4614-4616)
Sep 21, 2020
Mr. McNerney moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 18, 2020
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 421.
Sep 18, 2020
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-521.
Jul 15, 2020
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jul 15, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 10, 2020
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Mar 10, 2020
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 27, 2020
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jan 25, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Jan 10, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 10, 2019
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Sep 23, 2020 House · vote #201 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 410–5 See who voted →
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Don't Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020

This bill repeals a provision requiring the reallocation of spectrum currently used by public safety entities and otherwise addresses 9–1–1 fees and charges collected for the purpose of supporting 9–1–1 services.

Specifically, the bill repeals the requirement for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reallocate and auction the 470-512 MHz band (referred to as the T-Band spectrum). The T-Band spectrum is a frequency range currently utilized by public safety entities in certain urban areas.

The bill also requires the FCC to issue rules designating acceptable purposes and functions for the obligation or expenditure of 9–1–1 fees or charges. Such purposes and functions shall be limited to the support and implementation of 9–1–1 services and the operational expenses of public safety answering points (i.e., the points where emergency calls are routed), but a state or taxing jurisdiction may petition the FCC for a determination that other purposes or functions should be treated as acceptable purposes or functions.

In addition, the bill establishes the Ending 9–1–1 Fee Diversion Now Strike Force, to which the FCC must submit any evidence it obtains that a state or taxing jurisdiction is diverting 9–1–1 fees or charges. The strike force must (1) study how the federal government can end such diversion through a determination of the effectiveness of laws and other constraints, (2) consider whether criminal penalties should be implemented to prevent further diversion, and (3) determine the impacts of such diversion.

What's happening now September 24, 2020

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • HR 2165 Related bill 9–1–1 Fee Integrity Act
  • HR 5928 Related bill FIRST RESPONDER Act of 2020
  • S 2748 Identical bill Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2019
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 18
All 18 Democratic 12 Republican 1
D
Neguse, Joe
Colorado · May 1, 2020
 D
Gottheimer, Josh
New Jersey · Mar 10, 2020
 R
Van Drew, Jefferson
New Jersey · Feb 12, 2020
Lamb, Conor
· Jan 28, 2020
 D
Suozzi, Thomas R.
New York · Nov 14, 2019
DOYLE, MIKE
· Nov 1, 2019
 D
Espaillat, Adriano
New York · Oct 29, 2019
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Oct 22, 2019
 D
Meng, Grace
New York · Oct 16, 2019
Rice, Kathleen
· Oct 16, 2019
 D
Moulton, Seth
Massachusetts · Oct 4, 2019
 D
Velázquez, Nydia M.
New York · Oct 4, 2019
 D
Lynch, Stephen F.
Massachusetts · May 9, 2019
LOWEY, NITA
· Apr 12, 2019
 D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · Apr 12, 2019
 D
Torres, Norma J.
California · Apr 12, 2019
 D
Green, Al
Texas · Jan 10, 2019
Zeldin, Lee
· Jan 10, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 451: Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-451/
MLA
"H.R. 451: Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-451/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 451, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-451/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 451: Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-451/)
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