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HR 4224 118th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Civil actions and liability Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Telephone and wireless communication

To authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce its own forfeiture penalties with respect to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment.

Introduced: January 10, 2024 Introduced by: Matsui, Doris O. Democratic · California See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 118th Congress ended
It never became law before the 118th Congress (2023–2024) 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
Jun 23, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Jun 20, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 20, 2023
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill gives the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authority to pursue specified unpaid fines for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) via litigation. The TCPA prohibits certain telemarketing calls made without the recipient’s consent and using automatic dialing technology or artificial and prerecorded voice messages. 

Under current law, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has authority to pursue unpaid fines for violations of the TCPA. Under the bill, if DOJ does not pursue an unpaid fine within a specified time period, the FCC may do so. The bill directs the FCC to prioritize the collection of unpaid fines over $25 million. 

What's happening now June 23, 2023

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4224: To authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce its own forfeiture penalties with respect to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment.. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-4224/
MLA
"H.R. 4224: To authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce its own forfeiture penalties with respect to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment.." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-4224/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4224, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-4224/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4224: To authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce its own forfeiture penalties with respect to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment.](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-HR-4224/)
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