To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to establish a national policy against Federal and State regulation of Internet access and online services, and to exercise congressional jurisdiction over interstate and foreign commerce by establishing a moratorium on the imposition of exactions that would interfere with the free flow of commerce conducted over the Internet, and for other purposes.
Internet Tax Freedom Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or any State commission from having regulatory authority or jurisdiction with respect to charges paid by subscribers for Internet access or online services (IAOs).
Preserves FCC authority and the State commission's authority to: (1) implement the Telecommunications Act of 1996 or the amendments made by such Act; and (2) regulate common carriers that offer IAOs in conjunction with the provision of any telephone toll, telephone exchange, or exchange access services as such terms are defined in title I of the Act.
(Sec. 3) Exempts IAOs providers from Federal regulatory fees.
Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to determine whether any direct or indirect Federal regulatory fees, other than the fees identified under the Act, are imposed on IAOs providers, and if so, make recommendations to the Congress regarding whether such fees should be modified or eliminated.
(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with appropriate congressional committees, to examine: (1) barriers imposed in foreign markets on U.S. providers of property, goods, services, or information engaged in electronic commerce and on U.S. providers of telecommunications services; (2) how the imposition of such barriers will affect U.S. consumers, the competitiveness of U.S. citizens providing property, goods, service, or information in foreign markets, and the growth and maturing of the Internet; and (3) what measures the Government should pursue to foster, promote, and develop electronic commerce in the United States and in foreign markets.
Directs: (1) the Secretary to report to the President on the results of the examination; and (2) the President to review the report and submit to appropriate congressional committees such policy recommendations as the President deems necessary or expedient.
(Sec. 5) Provides for the expedited congressional consideration of legislative recommendations.
(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should seek bilateral and multilateral agreements through various international organizations to require that the provision of IAOs be free from undue and discriminatory regulation by foreign governments and that electronic commercial transactions between United States and foreign providers of property, goods, services, and information be free from undue and discriminatory regulation, international tariffs, and discriminatory taxation.
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 105-570, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 105-570, Part I.
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 19, 1998.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 19, 1998.
House Committee on Rules Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 19, 1998.
Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law Discharged.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-570, Part II.
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Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-570, Part II.
House Committee on Ways and Means Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 26, 1998.
House Committee on Rules Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 26, 1998.
Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
Committee on Rules discharged.
Committee on Rules discharged.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 339.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1288)