Spectrum Coordination Act
Spectrum Coordination Act
Plain Language Summary
# Spectrum Coordination Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill would require two federal agencies—the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration)—to publicly document their coordination efforts whenever the FCC proposes to reassign radio frequency spectrum that could affect government agencies' use of that spectrum. Specifically, the NTIA would need to file a public report showing when the FCC notified them of the proposal, which federal agencies might be impacted, when those agencies were informed, and any concerns they raised about the change. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects federal government agencies that rely on radio frequency spectrum (like the military, NASA, and other departments), telecommunications companies that auction and use spectrum, and the general public—since spectrum decisions impact wireless services, emergency communications, and technology infrastructure.
The bill's main purpose is transparency rather than changing spectrum policy itself. **Key Provision:** The core requirement is creating a public record of the coordination process between the two agencies, making it harder for spectrum reallocation decisions to happen without documented consideration of federal users' needs. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
CRS Official Summary
Spectrum Coordination ActThis bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to document publicly their interagency coordination efforts with respect to certain spectrum reallocation actions potentially affecting federal spectrum users. Specifically, for any proposal by the FCC to reallocate radio frequency spectrum in a manner anticipated to result in an auction or licensing that may impact federal spectrum use, the NTIA must file certain information in the public docket for the action during the public comment period. Specifically, this filing must include (1) the date on which the FCC notified the NTIA of the proposed action; (2) any federal entities that may be affected by the proposal; (3) the date on which the NTIA notified those entities of the proposal; and (4) a summary of any technical, procedural, or policy concerns of potentially affected federal entities or the NTIA. In the event that the FCC promulgates a final rule involving such a spectrum action, the FCC must publish in the Federal Register along with the final rule an interagency coordination summary describing (1) the date on which the FCC notified the NTIA of the action; and (2) whether the NTIA or any potentially affected federal entity raised concerns regarding the action and, if so, how they were addressed. Separately, the FCC and the NTIA must update the Memorandum of Understanding between them within three years of the bill’s enactment and periodically thereafter. Updates must reflect changing technological, procedural, and policy circumstances.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.