IB 
Union Calendar No. 125 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1338 
[Report No. 118–157] 
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide authority for certain 
licenses, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 3, 2023 
Mrs. RODGERS of Washington (for herself and Mr. PALLONE) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
JULY 25, 2023 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 3, 2023] 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
A BILL 
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide 
authority for certain licenses, and for other purposes. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Satellite And Tele-
communications Streamlining Act’’ or the ‘‘SAT Stream-
lining Act’’. 
SEC. 2. AUTHORITY REGARDING CERTAIN LICENSES. 
(a) AMENDMENT.—Part I of title III of the Commu-
nications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 346. RADIOFREQUENCY LICENSING AUTHORITY RE-
GARDING CERTAIN OPERATIONS. 
‘‘(a) RULES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this section, the 
Commission shall issue rules to amend part 25 of title 
47, Code of Federal Regulations, to establish— 
‘‘(A) for any license granted under sub-
section (b) or grant of market access granted 
under subsection (c), specific, measurable, and 
technology-neutral performance objectives for 
space safety and orbital debris, in accordance 
with paragraph (2); 
‘‘(B) for any license granted under para-
graph (1) or (2) of subsection (b), specific modi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
fications (or classes of modifications) to such a 
license that warrant expedited treatment under 
subparagraph (A) or (B) (as the case may be) of 
subsection (g)(2); 
‘‘(C) for any license granted under sub-
section (b), grant of market access granted under 
subsection (c), authorization granted under sub-
section (d), or covered authorization, the manner 
in which the licensee, grantee, or entity shall no-
tify the Commission of a request to submit a 
modification under subsection (g)(5); 
‘‘(D) for any request to modify a covered 
authorization, the manner in which the entity 
with the covered authorization shall indicate in 
the request whether the entity is seeking a modi-
fication described in subsection (h)(2)(B)(i)(I) or 
a 
modification 
described 
in 
subsection 
(h)(2)(B)(i)(II); 
‘‘(E) for any license granted under sub-
section (b), grant of market access granted under 
subsection (c), or covered authorization, in a 
spectrum band with service rules that require a 
licensee of such a license, a grantee of such a 
grant, or an entity with such a covered author-
ization to share spectrum with another such li-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
censee, grantee, or entity with a covered author-
ization that is authorized to use the same fre-
quencies of such spectrum, specific actions taken 
by such a licensee, grantee, or entity with a cov-
ered authorization, or by any other entity that 
is authorized to use such frequencies, that con-
stitute a failure to coordinate in good faith, in-
cluding whether withholding from another such 
licensee, grantee, entity with a covered author-
ization, or other entity information necessary to 
coordinate in good faith that it is technically 
feasible to make available to such licensee, grant-
ee, entity with a covered authorization, or other 
entity is such an action; 
‘‘(F) for any license granted under sub-
section (b)(1) or grant of market access granted 
under subsection (c)(1), in a spectrum band with 
service rules that require a licensee of such a li-
cense, a grantee of such a grant, or an entity 
with a covered authorization to share spectrum 
(except with respect to the use of a gateway sta-
tion) with another such licensee, grantee, or enti-
ty with a covered authorization that is author-
ized to use the same frequencies of such spectrum, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
a quantifiable level of protection required under 
subsection (h)(4); 
‘‘(G) rules that— 
‘‘(i) clarify, for purposes of subsection 
(h)(1)(A)(ii), the protection from harmful 
interference that, during the covered period, 
an entity with a covered authorization that 
was approved in a processing round is re-
quired to provide to any other entity with 
a covered authorization that was approved 
in an earlier processing round; and 
‘‘(ii) seek to promote competition, in-
novation, and efficient use of spectrum by 
entities with covered authorizations, includ-
ing by accounting for advancements in tech-
nology capable of managing interference 
concerns to the greatest extent possible con-
sistent with clause (i); and 
‘‘(H) for any application or request for 
modification described in subsection (n), what 
constitutes reportable foreign ownership for pur-
poses of paragraph (1) of such subsection. 
‘‘(2) CONFLICT
WITH
INTERAGENCY
STANDARD 
PRACTICES.—In the rules issued pursuant to para-
graph (1)(A), or any successor rule, the Commission 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
may not establish performance objectives that conflict 
with any standard practice established in the Orbital 
Debris Mitigation Standard Practices adopted by the 
United States Government. 
‘‘(b) APPLICATION FOR LICENSE.— 
‘‘(1) NGSO DETERMINATION REQUIRED.—Except 
as provided in paragraph (5) and subsection (m), not 
later than 1 year after the date on which the Commis-
sion issues a public notice of the acceptance for filing 
of a written application submitted to the Commission, 
the Commission shall make a determination whether 
to grant such application (including any amendment 
to such application) for a license for covered 
radiocommunication services using— 
‘‘(A) a nongeostationary orbit space station 
or space stations; 
‘‘(B) a blanket-licensed earth station or 
earth stations that will operate with a nongeo-
stationary orbit space station or space stations; 
or 
‘‘(C) a nongeostationary orbit space station 
or space stations and the blanket-licensed earth 
station or earth stations that will operate with 
the nongeostationary orbit space station or space 
stations. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) GSO DETERMINATION REQUIRED.—Except 
as provided in paragraph (5) and subsection (m), not 
later than 1 year after the date on which the Commis-
sion issues a public notice of the acceptance for filing 
of a written application submitted to the Commission, 
the Commission shall make a determination whether 
to grant such application (including any amendment 
to such application) for a license for covered 
radiocommunication services using— 
‘‘(A) a geostationary orbit space station or 
space stations; 
‘‘(B) a blanket-licensed earth station or 
earth stations that will operate with a geo-
stationary orbit space station or space stations; 
or 
‘‘(C) a geostationary orbit space station or 
space stations and the blanket-licensed earth sta-
tion or earth stations that will operate with the 
geostationary orbit space station or space sta-
tions. 
‘‘(3) CONTENTS OF APPLICATION.—In addition 
to the application requirements described in section 
308(b), an application submitted under paragraph 
(1) or (2) shall include the following: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) Performance metrics with respect to 
the frequencies and transmission power to be 
used. 
‘‘(B) A demonstration of compliance by the 
applicant with the performance objectives estab-
lished under subsection (a)(1)(A). 
‘‘(C) A description of compliance by the ap-
plicant with the actions established under sub-
section (a)(1)(E), if applicable. 
‘‘(D) In the case of an application sub-
mitted under paragraph (1), a demonstration of 
compliance by the applicant with the quantifi-
able level of protection established under sub-
section (a)(1)(F), if applicable. 
‘‘(4) TERM OF INITIAL LICENSE.—The Commis-
sion shall grant a license for a term not to exceed 15 
years for any application granted under this sub-
section. 
‘‘(5) EXCEPTIONS.—The deadline for the deter-
mination required in paragraphs (1), (2), and (6) 
may be extended by the Commission for an applica-
tion subject to review under subsection (n). 
‘‘(6) TIMELY
GRANT
OF
CERTAIN
APPLICA-
TIONS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (5) and subsection (m), not later than 
60 days after the date on which the Commission 
issues a public notice of the acceptance for filing 
of a written application submitted to the Com-
mission for a license described in paragraph (1) 
with respect to which the applicant indicates in 
the application that the application meets the 
additional criteria described in subparagraph 
(B), the Commission shall— 
‘‘(i) determine whether such applica-
tion (including any amendment to such ap-
plication) meets the additional criteria de-
scribed in subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(ii) if the determination under clause 
(i) is affirmative, grant such application 
(including any amendment to such applica-
tion). 
‘‘(B) CRITERIA
DESCRIBED.—The addi-
tional criteria described in this subparagraph 
are as follows: 
‘‘(i) A limit on the number of space 
stations authorized by the license, as deter-
mined by the Commission. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
immediately cease transmissions and 
the applicant has the capability to 
eliminate harmful interference when 
required by the Commission. 
‘‘(iv) A requirement that the operator 
has assessed and limited the probability of 
an accidental explosion, including an explo-
sion that results from the conversion of en-
ergy sources on board any space station 
into energy that fragments the space sta-
tion. 
‘‘(v) A limit on the probability of a 
collision between each space station and 
any other large object, as determined by the 
Commission. 
‘‘(vi) A requirement that each space 
station is disposed of post-mission and the 
probability of human casualty from dis-
posal meets requirements issued by the 
Commission. 
‘‘(C) CRITERIA
NOT
MET.—If the deter-
mination under subparagraph (A)(i) with re-
spect to an application is negative, the Commis-
sion shall make a determination whether to 
grant such application (including any amend-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
ment to such application) under paragraph (1) 
by the deadline specified in such paragraph. 
‘‘(D) EVASION.—An application does not 
meet the additional criteria described in sub-
paragraph (B) if the Commission determines 
that, taken together with any other application 
or applications submitted by the applicant under 
subparagraph (A) (including an application that 
has been approved), such applications are sub-
mitted with the purpose of evading a negative 
determination with respect to such additional 
criteria. 
‘‘(E) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—For pur-
poses of this section (other than this paragraph), 
any reference to an application submitted or 
granted or a license granted under paragraph 
(1) shall be construed to include an application 
submitted or granted or a license granted (as the 
case may be) under subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(F) IMPLEMENTATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of the enactment of 
this section, the Commission shall— 
‘‘(I) issue rules to implement this 
paragraph; or 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(II) make the finding described 
in clause (ii). 
‘‘(ii) FINDING
DESCRIBED.—If the 
Commission finds that the rules of the Com-
mission, as of the date of the enactment of 
this section, satisfy the requirements in this 
paragraph, the Commission shall issue a 
public notice stating such finding. 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF MARKET ACCESS.— 
‘‘(1) NGSO DETERMINATION REQUIRED.—After 
the date on which the Commission issues a public no-
tice of the acceptance for filing of a written applica-
tion submitted to the Commission, the Commission 
shall make a determination whether to grant such ap-
plication (including any amendment to such applica-
tion) for market access within the United States for 
covered radiocommunication services using— 
‘‘(A) a nongeostationary orbit space station 
or space stations; 
‘‘(B) a blanket-licensed earth station or 
earth stations that will operate with a nongeo-
stationary orbit space station or space stations; 
or 
‘‘(C) a nongeostationary orbit space station 
or space stations and the blanket-licensed earth 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
station or earth stations that will operate with 
the nongeostationary orbit space station or space 
stations. 
‘‘(2) GSO DETERMINATION
REQUIRED.—After 
the date on which the Commission issues a public no-
tice of the acceptance for filing of a written applica-
tion submitted to the Commission, the Commission 
shall make a determination whether to grant such ap-
plication (including any amendment to such applica-
tion) for market access within the United States for 
covered radiocommunication services using a geo-
stationary orbit space station or space stations. 
‘‘(3) CONTENTS OF APPLICATION.—In addition 
to the application requirements described in section 
308(b), an application submitted under paragraph 
(1) or (2) shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) Performance metrics with respect to 
the frequencies and transmission power to be 
used. 
‘‘(B) A demonstration of compliance by the 
applicant with the performance objectives estab-
lished under subsection (a)(1)(A). 
‘‘(C) A description of compliance by the ap-
plicant with the actions established under sub-
section (a)(1)(E), if applicable. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(D) In the case of an application sub-
mitted under paragraph (1), a demonstration of 
compliance by the applicant with the quantifi-
able level of protection established under sub-
section (a)(1)(F), if applicable. 
‘‘(4) TERM OF INITIAL GRANT OF MARKET AC-
CESS.—The Commission shall grant a grant of mar-
ket access for a term not to exceed 15 years for any 
application granted under this subsection. 
‘‘(d) EARTH STATION AUTHORIZATION.— 
‘‘(1) DETERMINATION REQUIRED FOR INDIVID-
UALLY LICENSED EARTH STATIONS.—Except as pro-
vided in paragraph (4) and subsection (m), not later 
than 1 year after the date on which the Commission 
issues a public notice of the acceptance for filing of 
a written application submitted to the Commission, 
the Commission shall make a determination whether 
to grant such application (including any amendment 
to such application) for authorization to use an indi-
vidually licensed earth station. 
‘‘(2) DETERMINATION REQUIRED FOR RECEIVE- 
ONLY EARTH STATIONS.—Except as provided in para-
graph (4) and subsection (m), not later than 30 days 
after the date on which the Commission issues a pub-
lic notice of the acceptance for filing of a written ap-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
plication submitted to the Commission, the Commis-
sion shall make a determination whether to grant 
such application (including any amendment to such 
application) for authorization to use an earth station 
or earth stations to receive a signal from— 
‘‘(A) a nongeostationary orbit space station 
or space stations operated under a license grant-
ed under subsection (b)(1) or a grant of market 
access granted under subsection (c)(1); or 
‘‘(B) a geostationary orbit space station or 
space stations operated under a license granted 
under subsection (b)(2) or a grant of market ac-
cess granted under subsection (c)(2). 
‘‘(3) DEEMED
GRANTED.—If the Commission 
fails to grant or deny a written application (includ-
ing any amendment to such application) submitted 
under paragraph (1) or (2) by the deadline for the de-
termination required by such paragraph (including 
any extension of such deadline under paragraph (4) 
or subsection (m)), the application (including any 
amendment to such application) shall be deemed 
granted on the date on which the Commission receives 
a written notice by the applicant of the failure. 
‘‘(4) EXCEPTION.—The deadline for the deter-
mination required by paragraph (1) or (2) may be 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
extended by the Commission for an application sub-
ject to review under subsection (n). 
‘‘(5) INAPPLICABILITY
TO
BLANKET-LICENSED 
EARTH
STATIONS.—This subsection does not apply 
with respect to an earth station or earth stations to 
the extent that the earth station or earth stations will 
be blanket-licensed with a space station or space sta-
tions as described in subsection (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(C), 
(b)(2)(B), (b)(2)(C), (c)(1)(B), or (c)(1)(C). 
‘‘(e) DETERMINATION OF PUBLIC INTEREST, CONVEN-
IENCE, AND NECESSITY.—The Commission may not make 
a determination to grant an application, renewal, or modi-
fication under subsection (b), (c), (d), (f), or (g) (as the 
case may be) unless— 
‘‘(1) except in the case of a modification under 
subsection (g)(2), the Commission determines that the 
license, grant, or authorization (as the case may be) 
serves the public interest, convenience, and necessity; 
and 
‘‘(2) the Commission determines that— 
‘‘(A) in the case of a licensee or grantee to 
which subsection (h)(4) applies— 
‘‘(i) in the case of an application, ex-
cept in accordance with a coordination 
agreement, the licensee or grantee will not, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
during the term of the license or grant, ex-
ceed the quantifiable level of protection es-
tablished in subsection (h)(4) in operating 
under the license or grant; 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a renewal, except in 
accordance with a coordination agreement, 
the licensee or grantee has not exceeded, 
during the preceding term of the license or 
grant, and will not exceed, during the term 
of the renewal of the license or grant, the 
quantifiable level of protection established 
in subsection (h)(4) in operating under the 
license or grant; and 
‘‘(iii) in the case of a modification, ex-
cept in accordance with a coordination 
agreement, the licensee or grantee has not 
exceeded, during the portion of the term of 
the license or grant preceding the deter-
mination, and will not exceed, during the 
remainder of such term, the quantifiable 
level of protection established in subsection 
(h)(4) in operating under the license or 
grant; and 
‘‘(B) in the case of a licensee or grantee that 
is required to protect radio astronomy observ-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
atories by the International Telecommunication 
Union, the application, request for renewal, or 
request for modification demonstrates that the li-
censee or grantee will provide such protection in 
operating under the license or grant. 
‘‘(f) RENEWAL OF LICENSE, GRANT OF MARKET AC-
CESS, OR AUTHORIZATION.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in sec-
tion 309(k)(2), the Commission shall grant a renewal 
for a license granted under subsection (b), a grant of 
market access granted under subsection (c), or an au-
thorization granted under subsection (d), upon re-
quest by the licensee, grantee, or entity with such au-
thorization (as the case may be), for a term not to ex-
ceed the length of the initial term beginning the day 
after the date on which the preceding term of the li-
cense, grant of market access, or authorization ex-
pires, if the Commission determines the requirements 
under subsection (e) and section 309(k) have been 
met. 
‘‘(2) DEADLINE
FOR
DETERMINATION.—Except 
as provided in subsection (m), not later than 180 
days after the date on which the Commission receives 
a request for renewal of a license granted under sub-
section (b), a grant of market access granted under 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
subsection (c), or an authorization granted under sub-
section (d), the Commission shall— 
‘‘(A) grant such request (including any 
amendment to such request); or 
‘‘(B) make the determination described in 
section 309(k)(3) and deny such request (includ-
ing any amendment to such request). 
‘‘(g) MODIFICATION OF LICENSE; GRANT OF MARKET 
ACCESS.— 
‘‘(1) MAJOR
MODIFICATIONS.—Except as pro-
vided in paragraphs (2), (3), (5), and (6) and sub-
section (m), and not later than 1 year after the date 
on which the Commission receives a request to modify 
a license granted under subsection (b)(1), the Com-
mission shall grant the request (including any 
amendment to such request) if the Commission deter-
mines the modification meets the requirements under 
subsection (e). Except as provided in paragraphs (2), 
(3), and (5), the Commission may grant a request 
(including any amendment to such request) to modify 
a license granted under subsection (b)(2) or a grant 
of market access granted under subsection (c) if the 
Commission determines the modification meets the re-
quirements under subsection (e). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) EXPEDITED TREATMENT FOR MINOR MODI-
FICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) NGSO LICENSE MODIFICATIONS.—Ex-
cept as provided in paragraphs (3), (5), and (6) 
and subsection (m), and not later than 90 days 
after the date on which the Commission receives 
a request to modify a license granted under sub-
section (b)(1), the Commission shall grant the re-
quest (including any amendment to such request) 
if— 
‘‘(i) the Commission determines that 
the modification or modifications meet the 
requirements (if applicable) under subpara-
graphs (A) and (B) of subsection (e)(2); and 
‘‘(ii) the request is limited only to 
modifications, or a class of modifications, 
that— 
‘‘(I) increase transmission capac-
ity; 
‘‘(II) improve spectral efficiency, 
such as by improving compression 
technologies; 
‘‘(III) improve the orbital vari-
ance efficiency of the space station (or 
space stations, considered collectively, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
if there is more than one such space 
station) authorized by the license; or 
‘‘(IV) otherwise do not substan-
tially modify the space station (or 
space stations, considered collectively, 
if there is more than one such space 
station) authorized by the license. 
‘‘(B) GSO LICENSE
MODIFICATIONS.—Ex-
cept as provided in paragraphs (3), (5), and (6) 
and subsection (m), and not later than 90 days 
after the date on which the Commission receives 
a request to modify a license granted under sub-
section (b)(2), the Commission shall grant the re-
quest (including any amendment to such request) 
if— 
‘‘(i) the Commission determines that 
the modification or modifications meet the 
requirements (if applicable) under sub-
section (e)(2)(B); and 
‘‘(ii) the request is limited only to 
modifications, or a class of modifications, 
that— 
‘‘(I) increase transmission capac-
ity; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(II) improve spectral efficiency, 
such as by improving compression 
technologies; or 
‘‘(III) otherwise do not substan-
tially modify the space station (or 
space stations, considered collectively, 
if there is more than one such space 
station) authorized by the license. 
‘‘(C) DEEMED GRANTED.—If the Commis-
sion fails to grant a request (including any 
amendment to such request) made by a licensee 
under subparagraph (A) or (B) by the deadline 
specified in such subparagraph (including any 
extension of such deadline under paragraph (6) 
or subsection (m)), the request (including any 
amendment to such request) shall be deemed 
granted on the date on which the Commission re-
ceives a written notice by the licensee of the fail-
ure. 
‘‘(3) EMERGENCY GRANT, RENEWAL, OR MODI-
FICATION.—If the Commission finds that there are ex-
traordinary circumstances requiring temporary oper-
ations in the public interest and that delay in the in-
stitution of such temporary operations would seri-
ously prejudice the public interest, the Commission— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) may grant a license described in sub-
section (b), a grant of market access described in 
subsection (c), or an authorization described in 
subsection (d), a modification of such a license, 
grant of market access, or authorization, or re-
newal of such a license, grant of market access, 
or authorization for a period not to exceed 180 
days in a manner and upon the terms the Com-
mission shall by rule prescribe in the case of an 
emergency found by the Commission involving— 
‘‘(i) danger to life or property; or 
‘‘(ii) an action that is necessary for the 
national defense or security of the United 
States; 
‘‘(B) shall include with a grant made under 
this paragraph a statement of the reasons of the 
Commission for making such grant; 
‘‘(C) may extend a grant made under this 
paragraph for periods not to exceed 180 days; 
and 
‘‘(D) shall give expeditious treatment to any 
timely filed petition to deny such application 
and to any petition for rehearing of such grant 
filed under section 405. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(4) EXCLUSION.—Paragraph (2) shall not 
apply to a request to modify a license for— 
‘‘(A) the addition of an ancillary terrestrial 
component; or 
‘‘(B) modifying the service offered under the 
initial license granted under subsection (b) be-
tween fixed satellite service and mobile satellite 
service. 
‘‘(5) AUTOMATIC GRANT OF CERTAIN MODIFICA-
TIONS.—Upon notification to the Commission, the 
Commission may automatically grant a request to 
modify a license granted under subsection (b), a grant 
of market access granted under subsection (c), an au-
thorization granted under subsection (d), or a covered 
authorization, to replace— 
‘‘(A) one space station (or component of 
such space station) with a technically similar 
space station (or component of such space sta-
tion) previously approved by the Commission; or 
‘‘(B) one earth station (or component of 
such earth station) with a technically similar 
earth station (or component of such earth sta-
tion) previously approved by the Commission. 
‘‘(6) EXCEPTIONS.—The deadlines under para-
graphs (1) and (2) may be extended by the Commis-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
sion for a request subject to review under subsection 
(n). 
‘‘(h) SHARED SPECTRUM; PROTECTION FROM HARM-
FUL INTERFERENCE.— 
‘‘(1) GRANDFATHERED TREATMENT AND SUNSET 
OF CERTAIN AUTHORIZATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—For the duration of the 
covered period— 
‘‘(i) a covered authorization shall not 
be treated as being granted under subsection 
(b)(1) or subsection (c)(1) (as the case may 
be); and 
‘‘(ii) an entity with a covered author-
ization shall be afforded, and shall afford to 
any other entity with a covered authoriza-
tion, protection from harmful interference 
that is consistent with the terms of such 
protection afforded before the date of the en-
actment of this section. 
‘‘(B) TREATMENT
OF
CERTAIN
APPLICA-
TIONS.—The Commission shall dismiss without 
prejudice any application for a license or grant 
of market access to operate a system described in 
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of subsection 
(b)(1) or subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of sub-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
section (c)(1) that is submitted to the Commis-
sion after the date of the enactment of this sec-
tion and before the date on which the rules issued 
pursuant to subsection (a) take effect. 
‘‘(2) TRANSITIONAL RULES.— 
‘‘(A) RENEWAL UNDER THIS SECTION.—An 
entity with a covered authorization may, at any 
time before the end of the covered period, seek re-
newal of the covered authorization under sub-
section (f) as if the covered authorization were a 
license granted under subsection (b)(1) or a 
grant of market access granted under subsection 
(c)(1) (as the case may be). If the Commission 
grants the renewal, the renewal shall be treated 
as a renewal of a license granted under sub-
section (b)(1) or a grant of market access grant-
ed under subsection (c)(1) (as the case may be). 
‘‘(B) MODIFICATION.— 
‘‘(i) INDICATION
OF
TYPE
OF
MODI-
FICATION
SOUGHT.—If an entity with a 
covered authorization submits to the Com-
mission a request to modify the covered au-
thorization, the entity shall indicate in the 
request whether the entity is seeking— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(I) a modification of the covered 
authorization under the law and regu-
lations applicable to the covered au-
thorization; or 
‘‘(II) a modification of the covered 
authorization under subsection (g) as 
if the covered authorization were a li-
cense granted under subsection (b)(1) 
or a grant of market access granted 
under subsection (c)(1) (as the case 
may be). 
‘‘(ii) TREATMENT.—If the Commission 
grants a request to modify a covered author-
ization— 
‘‘(I) in the case of a request for a 
modification described in clause (i)(I), 
the covered authorization as modified 
shall continue to be treated as de-
scribed in paragraph (1)(A)(i) and the 
entity with the covered authorization 
shall, with respect to the covered au-
thorization, continue to be afforded, 
and to afford to any other entity with 
a covered authorization, the protection 
described in paragraph (1)(A)(ii); and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(II) in the case of a request for 
a modification described in clause 
(i)(II), the covered authorization as 
modified shall be treated as a license 
granted under subsection (b)(1) or a 
grant of market access granted under 
subsection (c)(1) (as the case may be) 
with respect to which a request to mod-
ify has been granted under subsection 
(g). 
‘‘(3) GOOD
FAITH
COORDINATION
OF
SHARED 
SPECTRUM.—Not later than the date on which the 
rules issued pursuant to subsection (a) take effect— 
‘‘(A) a licensee of a license granted under 
subsection (b), a grantee of a grant of market ac-
cess granted under subsection (c), or an entity 
with a covered authorization, in a spectrum 
band with service rules that require such a li-
censee, grantee, or entity with a covered author-
ization to share spectrum with another such li-
censee, grantee, or entity with a covered author-
ization that is authorized to use the same fre-
quencies of such spectrum, shall make a good 
faith effort to coordinate the use of such fre-
quencies (including the use of such frequencies by 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
an individually licensed earth station) with any 
other such licensee, grantee, or entity with a cov-
ered authorization and any other entity that is 
authorized to use such frequencies; and 
‘‘(B) any other entity that is authorized to 
use such frequencies shall make a good faith ef-
fort to coordinate the use of such frequencies with 
any such licensee, grantee, or entity with a cov-
ered authorization. 
‘‘(4) 
PROTECTION
FROM
HARMFUL
INTER-
FERENCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than the date 
on which the rules issued pursuant to subsection 
(a) take effect, for any spectrum band in which 
the Commission grants a license under subsection 
(b)(1) or a grant of market access under sub-
section (c)(1) and for which the service rules re-
quire such a licensee or grantee or an entity with 
a covered authorization to share spectrum (ex-
cept with respect to the use of a gateway station) 
with another such licensee, grantee, or entity 
with a covered authorization that is authorized 
to use the same frequencies of such spectrum, the 
Commission shall establish a quantifiable level of 
protection that (except with respect to the use of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
01:53 Jul 26, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6203
E:\BILLS\H1338.RH
H1338
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS