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United States · Law · S

S. 800 (106th)

Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

14 April 1999

Last action

26 October 1999 · Became law

Status

Became Public Law No: 106-81.

Sponsors

Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT], Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ], Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS], Sen. Mack, Connie, III [R-FL], Sen. Allard, Wayne [R-CO], Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA], Sen. Chafee, John H. [R-RI], Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN], Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI], Sen. Ashcroft, John [R-MO], Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI], Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA], Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS], Sen. Grams, Rod [R-MN]

Subjects

Transport

Source updated

7 April 2025

Transport

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Summary

Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and any agency or entity to which the FCC delegates such authority to designate 911 as the universal emergency telephone number within the United States for reporting an emergency to appropriate authorities and requesting assistance. Applies such designation to both wireline and wireless telephone service. Directs the FCC to provide appropriate transition periods for areas in which 911 is not currently an emergency number. Requires the FCC to encourage and support efforts by States to deploy comprehensive end-to-end emergency communications infrastructure and programs based on coordinated statewide plans. Requires appropriate consultation with regard to such deployment. Provides immunity from liability, to the same extent as provided to local telephone exchange companies, for providers of wireless 911 service. Provides immunity for users of wireless 911 service to the same extent as provided to users of 911 service that is not wireless. Provides immunity for public safety answering points (emergency dispatchers). Authorizes telecommunications carriers to provide call location information concerning a user of a commercial mobile service to: (1) emergency dispatchers and emergency service personnel in order to respond to the user's call; (2) the user's legal guardian or family member in an emergency situation that involves the risk of death or serious physical harm; or (3) providers of information or data base management services solely for assisting in the delivery of emergency services. Requires a customer's express prior authorization for disclosure to any other person. Requires telephone exchange service providers to provide both listed and unlisted subscriber information to providers of emergency and emergency support services.

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

Timeline

  1. 14 April 1999

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 14 April 1999

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3708-3709)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 14 April 1999

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 12 May 1999

    Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Communications. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 106-513.

    Source: Committee

  5. 23 June 1999

    Reported

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

    Source: Committee

  6. 4 August 1999

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with amendments. With written report No. 106-138.

    Source: Committee

  7. 4 August 1999

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 255.

    Source: Calendars

  8. 4 August 1999

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with amendments. With written report No. 106-138.

    Source: Committee

  9. 5 August 1999

    Passed

    Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10533; text: CR 9/8/1999 S10627-10628)

    Source: Floor

  10. 5 August 1999

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10533; text: CR 9/8/1999 S10627-10628)

    Source: Floor

  11. 8 September 1999

    Floor

    Held at the desk.

    Source: Floor

  12. 8 September 1999

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 8 September 1999

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  14. 12 October 1999

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  15. 12 October 1999

    Vote

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 424 - 2 (Roll no. 492). (text: CR H9858-9859)

    Source: Floor

  16. 12 October 1999

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 424 - 2 (Roll no. 492).(text: CR H9858-9859)

    Source: Floor

  17. 12 October 1999

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9858-9863)

    Source: Floor

  18. 12 October 1999

    Vote

    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.

    Source: Floor

  19. 12 October 1999

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 800.

    Source: Floor

  20. 12 October 1999

    Floor

    Mr. Tauzin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

    Source: Floor

  21. 14 October 1999

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  22. 14 October 1999

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  23. 26 October 1999

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 106-81.

    Source: President

  24. 26 October 1999

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

  25. 26 October 1999

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

12 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 26 October 1999

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 26 October 1999

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 5 August 1999

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  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 5 August 1999

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 4 August 1999

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 4 August 1999

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 4 August 1999

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 14 April 1999

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 14 April 1999

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 14 April 1999

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