Bill · H.R. 5201· House(119-HR-5201)
Kari's Law Reporting Act
- Introduced
- 9/8/2025
- Last activity
- 4/22/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Doris Matsui
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the ``Kari's Law Reporting Act'', directs the Federal Communications Commission to publish a specific report. The report must be published on the Commission's website within 180 days of the Act's enactment. It focuses on the enforcement of section 721 of the Communications Act of 1934. The report is required to summarize how much multi-line telephone system manufacturers and vendors have complied with that section. Additionally, it must cover difficulties in compliance and ways to improve Commission policies. Finally, it may include recommendations for further legislation to Congress.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+3
The Act requires the FCC to publish a report on its website regarding enforcement and compliance data.
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+2
The report on multi-line telephone system compliance may help identify ways to improve communication infrastructure and policy enforcement.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to passPassed 405–5
The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not.
04/21/2026 · Roll call 127 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Oversight of Telephone Systems: The report requires a summary of how well manufacturers and vendors are complying with section 721 of the Communications Act of 1934, which may help ensure safety standards are met (Section 2(a)(1)).
-
Identification of Compliance Barriers: By requiring the Commission to identify potential difficulties and obstacles in complying with the law, the Act seeks to understand what is preventing full compliance (Section 2(a)(2)).
-
Policy Improvement: The report aims to find ways to improve Commission policies to better enforce the existing law (Section 2(a)(3)).
-
Future Legislative Solutions: The Commission is tasked with providing recommendations to Congress regarding further legislation that could help mitigate existing problems (Section 2(a)(4)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+2
- 4/22/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 4/21/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 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): 405 - 5 (Roll no. 127). (text: CR 4/20/2026 H2976)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 5 (Roll no. 127). (text: CR 4/20/2026 H2976)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3025)
- 4/20/2026
- 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.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5201.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2976; text: CR H2976)
- Mr. Allen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 3/26/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-574.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 495.
- 1/15/2026
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 9/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Gus BilirakisRepublican · Florida
Nanette BarragánDemocrat · California