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Wireless Telephone Protection Act

Public Law 105-172 · S. 493 · 105th Congress · began in the Senate

Signed by Bill Clinton (D) on Apr 24, 1998 · Crime and Law Enforcement

Sponsor: Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ)

Cosponsors (9): Sen. Slade Gorton,

Passage votes

  • HouseUnanimous consent
  • SenateUnanimous consent
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Wireless Telephone Protection Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly using, producing, trafficking in, having control or custody of, or possessing hardware or software knowing that it has been configured to insert or modify telecommunication identifying information associated with or contained in a telecommunications instrument so that such instrument may be used to obtain telecommunications service without authorization. Revises penalties to: (1) impose a fine and a 15-year term of imprisonment for such a violation as a first offense; and (2) require forfeiture to the United States of any personal property used or intended to be used to commit fraud in connection with an access device. Revises the definition of a "scanning receiver" for purposes of such provisions to include a device or apparatus that can be used to intercept an electronic serial number, mobile identification number, or other identifier of any telecommunications service, equipment, or instrument.

Permits an officer, employee, or agent of, or a person engaged in business with, a facilities-based carrier to engage in conduct (other than trafficking) otherwise prohibited for the purpose of protecting that carrier's property or legal rights, unless such conduct is for the purpose of obtaining telecommunications service provided by another facilities-based carrier without such carrier's authorization. Makes it an affirmative defense that the conduct charged (other than a violation consisting of producing or trafficking) was engaged in for research or development in connection with a lawful purpose.

Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and amend the Federal sentencing guidelines and the policy statements of the Commission, if appropriate, to provide an appropriate penalty for offenses involving the cloning of wireless telephones, including offenses involving an attempt or conspiracy to do so.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

  • Judiciary Committee · House · discharged from, referred toSubcommittee: Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee
  • Judiciary Committee · Senate · markup by, referred to, reported bySubcommittee: Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee
Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 21 actions.

  1. Apr 24, 1998Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 105-172.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Apr 17, 1998PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Apr 1, 1998Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed House amendments by Unanimous Consent.
  5. Feb 26, 1998FloorFloor · A similar measure H.R. 2460 was laid on the table without objection.
  6. FloorFloor · The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
  7. FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  8. FloorFloor · On passage Passed without objection.
  9. FloorFloor · The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 2460. Agreed to without objection.
  10. FloorFloor · Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2460 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Bill is open to amendments. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of…
  11. CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from House Judiciary Committee
  12. Dec 16, 1997CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee
  13. Nov 13, 1997CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Judiciary Committee
  14. Nov 10, 1997FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  15. FloorFloor · The substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
  16. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  17. Sep 18, 1997CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Judiciary Committee
  18. CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Judiciary Committee
  19. May 9, 1997CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee
  20. Mar 20, 1997CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
  21. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.