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United States · Bill · S

S. 1618 (105th)

Anti-slamming Amendments Act

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

9 February 1998

Last action

27 October 1998 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

Sponsors

Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ], Sen. Hollings, Ernest F. [D-SC], Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME], Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI], Sen. Bryan, Richard H. [D-NV], Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND], Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD], Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA], Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA], Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI], Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI], Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT], Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS], Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR], Sen. Smith, Bob [R-NH], Sen. Gorton, Slade [R-WA], Sen. Shelby, Richard C. [R-AL], Sen. Cleland, Max [D-GA], Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

7 April 2025

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require that, in order for a telecommunications carrier to verify a subscriber's selection of a telephone exchange or toll service provider, such carrier shall, at a minimum, require the subscriber to: (1) acknowledge the type of service to be changed by the selection; (2) affirm the intent to select the service provider; (3) affirm the subscriber's authority to make such selection for that telephone number; (4) acknowledge that such selection will result in a change of service provider; (5) acknowledge that the individual making such communication is the subscriber; and (6) provide any other such information as considered appropriate for the subscriber's protection. Requires Federal Communications Commission (FCC) selection verification procedures to: (1) preclude the use of negative option marketing; (2) provide for verification of a change of service in oral, written, or electronic form; and (3) require the retention of such verification in a manner and form and for such time as considered appropriate by the FCC. Makes the above provisions inapplicable to providers of commercial mobile service. Requires a carrier selected by a subscriber to notify the subscriber in writing not more than 15 days after such selection, and to include the name of the individual who authorized such change. Provides for the prompt resolution of complaints concerning an unauthorized change. Requires the FCC to provide a simplified process for resolving such complaints, and authorizes the FCC to award damages in the amount of $500 or the actual damages, if greater. Provides penalties for violations of this section and authorizes the FCC to collect fines and damages. Authorizes a State to bring an action on behalf of its residents when it has reason to believe that a carrier has or is engaged in a practice of changing service providers without subscriber authority. Gives Federal courts exclusive jurisdiction over such actions. Requires the FCC to be notified of any such action. Directs the FCC to issue a report on the telemarketing practices used by carriers to solicit subscriber service changes. Authorizes the FCC to initiate a rulemaking to prohibit the use of any practices found to likely mislead, deceive, or confuse subscribers.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 9 February 1998

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 9 February 1998

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S517)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 9 February 1998

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 12 March 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

    Source: Committee

  5. 5 May 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. 356.

    Source: Calendars

  6. 5 May 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with amendments. With written report No. 105-183.

    Source: Committee

  7. 5 May 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with amendments. With written report No. 105-183.

    Source: Committee

  8. 12 May 1998

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4683-4709)

    Source: Floor

  9. 12 May 1998

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 99-0. Record Vote No: 130.

    Source: Floor

  10. 13 May 1998

    Floor

    Held at the desk.

    Source: Floor

  11. 13 May 1998

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  12. 13 May 1998

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 21 October 1998

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  14. 27 October 1998

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

    Source: Committee

Votes

12 May 1998 · Bill Passed · On Passage of the Bill S. 1618 · Bill Passed · Official source

Yes 99 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 1

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

11 official files

Referred in House (text)

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Leesvertaling

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  • Referred in House (text)

    Referred in House · EN · 21 October 1998

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  • Referred in House (PDF)

    Referred in House · EN · 21 October 1998

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 12 May 1998

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  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 12 May 1998

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 12 May 1998

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 5 May 1998

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 5 May 1998

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 5 May 1998

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 9 February 1998

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 9 February 1998

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 9 February 1998

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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