and http://energycommerce.house.gov/studio/webcasts (additional video links)
The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce will meet in open markup session on Tuesday, June 16, 2015, at 5:00 p.m. for opening statements only.
The Committee will reconvene on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. to consider the following: H.R. 805: the Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters Act of 2015 also known as the DOTCOM Act of 2015.
Above: Tuesday, June 16, 2015 hearing
Background: On March 14, 2014, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced its intention to transition the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) functions to the global multistakeholder community at the end of the existing contract, in September 2015. NTIA characterized the move as a step to “support and enhance the
multistakeholder model,” asking Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to convene global stakeholders to develop a transition proposal. NTIA asserted that the intent of the U.S. Government and other Internet architects was always to transition the role away from the U.S. Department of Commerce. More info: Background Memo
H.R. 805, DOTCOM ACT OF 2015
multistakeholder model,” asking Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to convene global stakeholders to develop a transition proposal. NTIA asserted that the intent of the U.S. Government and other Internet architects was always to transition the role away from the U.S. Department of Commerce. More info: Background Memo
H.R. 805, DOTCOM ACT OF 2015
On February 5, 2015, Representative John Shimkus, along with thirteen co-sponsors, introduced H.R. 805, the “DOTCOM Act of 2015.” The Subcommittee on Communications and Technology held a legislative hearing on H.R. 805 entitled “Stakeholder Perspectives on the IANA Transition” on Wednesday, May 13, 2015. On Wednesday, June 10, 2015, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology forwarded H.R. 805, as amended, to the full Committee by voice vote. More info: H.R. 805, the "Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters Act of 2015 (pdf)
The following is a summary of H.R. 805, as amended:
Section 1. Short Title.
This section provides that the bill may be cited as the “Domain Openness Through Continued Oversight Matters Act of 2015” or the “DOTCOM Act of 2015.”
Section 2. Requirements for IANA Stewardship Transition.
Subsection (a) requires the NTIA to continue to serve in its role as steward of the IANA functions in the Internet’s DNS until 30 legislative days after the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information submits the report required by subsection (b) of the Act.
Subsection (b) requires the Assistant Secretary to submit a report to Congress that contains two certifications. First, the Assistant Secretary must certify that the proposal for transition that was submitted to NTIA by ICANN meets NTIA’s stated criteria for a successful successor to the U.S. government’s role in IANA. Specifically, that the proposal:
- Supports and enhances the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance;
- Maintains the security, stability, and resiliency of the Internet domain name system;
- Meets the needs and expectations of the global customers and partners of the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority services;
- Maintains the openness of the Internet; and
- Does not replace the role of the NTIA with a government-led or intergovernmental organization solution.
Second, the Assistant Secretary must certify that the changes to ICANN’s bylaws that are
required by the multistakeholder community as prerequisites to the IANA transition have been
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