House Roll Call 453

98th Congress · 1983-11-10

H.R. 4102: TO AGREE TO A SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 4102, A BILL AMENDING THE COMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1934 TO ASSURE UNIVERSAL TELEPHONE SERVICE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES. THE TAUKE SUBSTITUTE PERMANENTLY PROHIBITS END-USER CHARGES ON "LIFELINE" CUSTOMERS; PROHIBITS END-USER CHARGES DURING 1984 ON RESIDENTIAL AND SINGLE-LINE BUSINESS CUSTOMERS, BUT PERMITS PHASE-IN END-USER CHARGES BEGINNING IN 1985 IF UNIVERSAL SERVICE IS NOT THREATENED; ELIMINATES FEES ON PRIVATE SYSTEMS THAT DO NOT CONNECT TO PHONE COMPANY FACILITIES; ELIMINATES CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS FROM OBLIGATION TO PAY BYPASS FEES ON PRIVATE INTERSTATE CONNECTIONS; PERMITS FCC TO REDUCE ALL BYPASS FEES AS END-USER CHARGES PHASE IN; PROHIBITS PHONE COMPANIES WITH 100,000 OR MORE SUBSCRIBERS FROM RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FROM THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND; IMPOSES A SURCHARGE ON LONG-DISTANCE CALLS TO SUBSIDIZE LOCAL LIFELINE CUSTOMER RATES; RESTRUCTURES DISCOUNT FOR LONG DISTANCE COMPANIES; AND DELETES PROVISIONS FOR STATE ORGANIZATIONS TO REPRESENT CONSUMERS IN REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS AND PROVISIONS FOR FCC PAYMENT OF CONSUMER LEGAL FEES WHEN PARTICIPATING IN FCC PROCEEDINGS. (MOTION FAILED)