Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act

The Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 is a United States federal law enacted as Public Law 106–81 of October 26, 1999. It is also known as the 911 Act. The act required the setup of enhanced 911 and mandated that 911 serve as the emergency number for non-land line phones as well. It was an amendment to the Communications Act of 1934 as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

The Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act began as H.R. 438 in the 106th Congress. The purpose of the bill was "To promote and enhance public safety through use of 911 as the universal emergency assistance number, and for other purposes." It was introduced February 2, 1999 by Rep. John Shimkus [R-IL]. There were six bi-partisan co-sponsors: Roy Blunt [R-MO], Nathan Deal [R-GA], Anna Eshoo [D-CA], Thomas Sawyer [D-OH], William Tauzin [R-LA], and Heather Wilson [R-NM].

The bill was referred to the following committees: House Commerce Committee (where the bill text was revised and reported out) and then House Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection (where hearings were held, the bill text revised and reported out). The bill was finally reported out February 11, 1999.

The bill went up to vote on February 24, 1999. One amendment was made to the bill, House Amendment 8, and amendment made in order as an original bill for the purpose of amendment pursuant to the rule. This amendment was voted on and passed the same day.

The bill came to a final vote on February 24, 1999. The bill passed with 415 Ayes, 2 Nays, and 16 present/ not voting. The only 2 Nays were Helen Chenoweth-Hage [R-ID] and Ron Paul [R-TX].

The Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act moved from the House and was presented in the Senate on April 14, 1999 as S.800. The bill was sponsored by Senator Conrad Burns [MT], and co-sponsored by 15 senators:

The bill was presented to committee on May 12 where hearings were held in the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Communications. On June 23, the Committee on Commerce ordered the bill to be reported favorably with their added amendments. August 4 the bill was given to Senator John McCain, who placed it on the senate legislative calendar. The next day, August 5, the bill passed with unanimous consent.

September 8, the bill was received back in the House with a message on Senate action. It was held at the desk with no further immediate action. The following month on October 12, Rep. Tauzin moved to pass the bill. Following forty minutes of debate, a roll call was taken and the vote passed 424–2.

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