S. 1025: FCC Legal Enforcement Act

This bill, titled the FCC Legal Enforcement Act, seeks to empower the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take more direct action in enforcing penalties related to violations of restrictions on the use of telephone equipment. Below are the key components of the bill:

Enforcement Authority

The bill amends existing laws to give the FCC the authority to enforce its own forfeiture penalties when there are unpaid fines related to violations of specific telecommunications regulations. This includes the ability to:

• Commence legal actions in its own name if the Attorney General does not act within 120 days of being referred an unpaid penalty.
• Supervise all litigation and appeals related to these actions by assigning its own attorneys to handle them.

Amendments to Penalty Provisions

The bill makes specific changes to existing provisions under the Communications Act of 1934 regarding penalties:

• The FCC can directly pursue the collection of penalties without depending solely on the Attorney General.
• It emphasizes that the FCC should prioritize the enforcement of penalties exceeding $25 million.

Regulations on Automated Telephone Equipment

The bill also modifies regulations concerning the use of automated telephone equipment. It adds that the FCC can implement necessary regulations to:

• Protect subscribers from unwanted calls, which have been a frequent issue for consumers.

Summary of Purpose

The overall goal of the FCC Legal Enforcement Act is to enhance the FCC's ability to enforce penalties for violations related to telecommunications and improve consumer protections against unwanted communications.

Relevant Companies

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