PHONE Act of 2021

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a moratorium on number reassignment after a disaster declaration, and for other purposes.

Subjects

Science, Technology, Communications

Summary

Preserving Home and Office Numbers in Emergencies Act of 2021 or the PHONE Act of 2021

This bill restricts the reassignment of a telephone number assigned to a subscriber for the provision of fixed wireline voice service.

Specifically, for up to one year after a major disaster has been declared, a number may not be reassigned except at the request of the subscriber. At the request of a subscriber, this prohibition must be extended for an additional year.

Further, a subscriber may cancel service without a cancellation fee and resubscribe with the same number and no fee if the subscriber is located in a disaster area and the residence where the number is located is inaccessible or uninhabitable.

Full Text

Related Legislation

H.Res. 535Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2467) to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2668) to amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to affirmatively confirm the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to seek permanent injunctions and other equitable relief for violations of any provision of law enforced by the Commission; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3985) to amend the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 to expedite the special immigrant visa process for certain Afghan allies, and for other purposes.
2021-07-20Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Related

Legislative Actions

2021-02-01
Introduced in House
2021-02-01
Introduced in House
2021-02-01
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2021-02-02
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
2021-07-19
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3647-3650; text: CR H3647-3648)
2021-07-19
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 678.
2021-07-19
Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
2021-07-19
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.
2021-07-20
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 535, proceedings on H.R. 678 are considered vacated.
2021-07-20
Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 7 of H. Res. 535, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 678; H.R. 1036; H.R. 1079, as amended; H.R. 1158; H.R. 1250; H.R. 1754; H.R. 1833, as amended; H.R. 1850; H.R. 1871; H.R. 1877, as amended; H.R. 1893; H.R. 1895; H.R. 2118; H.R. 2795, as amended; H.R. 2928; H.R. 2980, as amended; H.R. 3003; H.R. 3138, as amended; H.R. 3223; H.R. 3263; and H.R. 3264; and the following resolutions were agreed to under suspension of the rules: H. Res. 277; and H. Res. 294.(consideration: CR H3715-3730; text: CR H3716)

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