To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to establish technical and procedural standards for artificial or prerecorded voice systems created through generative artificial intelligence, and for other purposes.
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (8 Jul 2024): Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
What this bill does
H.R. 8939 would amend Section 227(d)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934—the section that directs the Federal Communications Commission to set technical and procedural standards for artificial or prerecorded voice telephone systems. The bill would insert language clarifying that these standards apply to voice systems created through generative artificial intelligence, such as voice cloning, as well as other similar future technologies the FCC determines are appropriate to cover.
The change would affect the FCC's rulemaking authority and, by extension, businesses, callers, and organizations that use automated or prerecorded voice calling systems, including those built with AI voice-generation tools. By explicitly naming generative AI and voice cloning within the existing statute, the bill aims to ensure that the FCC's existing standards for artificial and prerecorded voice calls clearly extend to these newer technologies, rather than leaving their applicability ambiguous.
The bill was introduced on July 8, 2024, by Rep. Rick Allen and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It did not receive a vote before the 118th Congress concluded, meaning it did not become law. For it to advance, it would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress and go through committee consideration, floor votes in the House and Senate, and presidential signature.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
8 Jul 2024
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 8939 do?
- H.R. 8939 would amend Section 227(d)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934—the section that directs the Federal Communications Commission to set technical and procedural standards for artificial or prerecorded voice telephone systems. The bill would insert language clarifying that these standards apply to voice systems created through generative artificial intelligence, such as voice cloning, as well as other similar future technologies the FCC determines are appropriate to cover. The change would affect the FCC's rulemaking authority and, by extension, businesses, callers, and organizations that use automated or prerecorded voice calling systems, including those built with AI voice-generation tools. By explicitly naming generative AI and voice cloning within the existing statute, the bill aims to ensure that the FCC's existing standards for artificial and prerecorded voice calls clearly extend to these newer technologies, rather than leaving their applicability ambiguous. The bill was introduced on July 8, 2024, by Rep. Rick Allen and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. It did not receive a vote before the 118th Congress concluded, meaning it did not become law. For it to advance, it would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress and go through committee consideration, floor votes in the House and Senate, and presidential signature.
- Has H.R. 8939 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 8939. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 8939?
- H.R. 8939 was sponsored by Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12] (R-GA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 8939?
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. (8 Jul 2024).
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To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to establish technical and procedural standards for artificial or prerecorded voice systems created through generative artificial intelligence, and for other purposes.
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