WASHINGTON-The Senate Commerce Committee Thursday passed a permanent ban on Internet access taxes after committee members agreed to separate the more controversial issue of state sales and use taxes.
The bill passed by voice vote, but there was considerable discussion about the definition portion after senators expressed concern that taxes on telecommunications services could be banned because the language was not clear.
“There is no need for overly broad language,” said Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.). “The language is ambiguous. . I am not sure what the rush is.”
The authors of the bill, although disagreeing about whether the language was ambiguous, agreed to tighten it before the bill is debated on the Senate floor.
The current moratorium on Internet access taxes expires in November.
