PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 14, 2023
Preserving Home and Office Numbers in Emergencies Act of 2023 or the PHONE Act of 2023
This bill restricts the reassignment of wireline (or landline) telephone numbers following the declaration of a major disaster in a given geographic area.
Specifically, for up to two years after a major disaster has been declared, wireline telephone numbers may not be reassigned except at the request of the subscriber. Further, where a subscriber demonstrates that the residence associated with a telephone number is inaccessible or uninhabitable following a disaster, the subscriber may generally cancel their telephone service and resubscribe with the same number at the same address or at a new address. Such cancellations and resubscriptions may not be subject to cancellation or connection fees.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must publish a list of areas affected by declared disasters, as determined by states, on its website. The bill takes effect 180 days after the FCC determines it is able to publish lists of affected areas in accordance with the bill's requirements.
People & committees
Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Feb 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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