dreamproit/uscode huggingface dataset:
47 U.S.C. § 331 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 331. Very high frequency stations and AM radio stations
(a) Very high frequency stations
It shall be the policy of the Federal Communications Commission to allocate channels for very high frequency commercial television broadcasting in a manner which ensures that not less than one such channel shall be allocated to each State, if technically feasible. In any case in which licensee of a very high frequency commercial television broadcast station notifies the Commission to the effect that such licensee will agree to the reallocation of its channel to a community within a State in which there is allocated no very high frequency commercial television broadcast channel at the time 1 such notification, the Commission shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, order such reallocation and issue a license to such licensee for that purpose pursuant to such notification for a term of not to exceed 5 years as provided in section 307(d) 2 of this title.
(b) AM radio stations
It shall be the policy of the Commission, in any case in which the licensee of an existing AM daytime-only station located in a community with a population of more than 100,000 persons that lacks a local full-time aural station licensed to that community and that is located within a Class I station primary service area notifies the Commission that such licensee seeks to provide full-time service, to ensure that such a licensee is able to place a principal community contour signal over its entire community of license 24 hours a day, if technically feasible.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 331, as added Pub. L. 97–248, title III, § 355, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 641; amended Pub. L. 102–243, § 4, Dec. 20, 1991, 105 Stat. 2402; Pub. L. 103–414, title III, § 303(a)(18), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4295; Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title IV, § 402(i)(5), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1089.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: Subsec. (d) of section 307 of this title, referred to in subsec. (a), was redesignated subsec. (c) of section 307 by Pub. L. 97–259, title I, § 112(a), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1093.
heading: Codification
text: Another section 331 of act June 19, 1934 was renumbered section 332 and is classified to section 332 of this title.
heading: Prior Provisions
text: A prior section 331, act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 331, as added Sept. 14, 1973, Pub. L. 93–107, § 1, 87 Stat. 350, related to broadcasting of games of professional sports clubs, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 93–107, § 2, Sept. 14, 1973, 87 Stat. 351, effective Dec. 31, 1975.
heading: Amendments
text: 2018—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–141 struck out at end: “The Commission shall report to the appropriate committees of Congress within 30 days after December 20, 1991, on how it intends to meet this policy goal.”
1994—Pub. L. 103–414 amended section catchline generally.
1991—Pub. L. 102–243 inserted “and AM radio stations” in section catchline, designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).
47 U.S.C. § 333 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 333. Willful or malicious interference
No person shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communications of any station licensed or authorized by or under this chapter or operated by the United States Government.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 333, as added Pub. L. 101–396, § 9, Sept. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 850.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Communications Act of 1934, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables.
47 U.S.C. § 334 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 334. Limitation on revision of equal employment opportunity regulations
(a) Limitation
Except as specifically provided in this section, the Commission shall not revise—
(1) the regulations concerning equal employment opportunity as in effect on September 1, 1992 (47 C.F.R. 73.2080) as such regulations apply to television broadcast station licensees and permittees; or
(2) the forms used by such licensees and permittees to report pertinent employment data to the Commission.
(b) Midterm review
The Commission shall revise the regulations described in subsection (a) to require a midterm review of television broadcast station licensees’ employment practices and to require the Commission to inform such licensees of necessary improvements in recruitment practices identified as a consequence of such review.
(c) Authority to make technical revisions
The Commission may revise the regulations described in subsection (a) to make nonsubstantive technical or clerical revisions in such regulations as necessary to reflect changes in technology, terminology, or Commission organization.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 334, as added Pub. L. 102–385, § 22(f), Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1499.)
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective 60 days after Oct. 5, 1992, see section 28 of Pub. L. 102–385, set out as an Effective Date of 1992 Amendment note under section 325 of this title.
47 U.S.C. § 353a (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 353a. Operators and watches on radiotelephone equipped ships
(a) Each cargo ship which in accordance with this part is equipped with a radiotelephone station shall, for safety purposes, carry at least one operator who may be the master, an officer, or a member of the crew.
(b) Each cargo ship of the United States which in accordance with this part is equipped with a radiotelephone station shall, while being navigated in the open sea outside of a harbor or port, maintain continuous watch whenever the station is not being used for authorized traffic.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 354, as added Aug. 13, 1954, ch. 729, § 2(b), 68 Stat. 706; amended Pub. L. 89–121, § 5, Aug. 13, 1965, 79 Stat. 514.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1965—Pub. L. 89–121 substituted “radiotelephone station” for “radiotelephone installation” in two places, and “one operator who may be the master, an officer, or a member of the crew” for “one qualified operator who may be a member of the crew holding only a certificate for radio telephony”, inserted “in the open sea” before “outside of a harbor”, and required a continuous watch whenever the station is not being used for authorized traffic.
47 U.S.C. § 354a (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 354a. Technical requirements of equipment on radiotelephone equipped ships
Cargo ships of three hundred gross tons and upward but less than one thousand six hundred gross tons may, in lieu of the radiotelegraph station prescribed by section 354 of this title, be equipped with a radiotelephone station complying with the following requirements:
(a) The radiotelephone station shall be in the upper part of the ship, so located that it is sheltered to the greatest possible extent from noise which might impair the correct reception of messages and signals, and, unless such station is situated on the bridge, there shall be efficient communication with the bridge.
(b) The radiotelephone installation shall be capable of transmitting and receiving on the frequencies, and using the classes of emission, designated by the Commission pursuant to law for the purposes of distress and safety of navigation.
(c) The radiotelephone installation shall have a minimum normal range of one hundred and fifty nautical miles; that is, it shall be capable of transmitting and receiving clearly perceptible signals from ship to ship by day and under normal conditions and circumstances over this range.
(d) There shall be available at all times a main source of electrical energy sufficient to operate the installation over the normal range required by subsection (c) of this section. If batteries are provided they shall have sufficient capacity to operate the transmitter and receiver for at least six continuous hours under normal working conditions. In installations made on or after November 19, 1952, a reserve source of electrical energy shall be provided in the upper part of the ship unless the main source of energy is so situated.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 356, as added Aug. 13, 1954, ch. 729, § 2(d), 68 Stat. 706; amended Pub. L. 89–121, § 7, Aug. 13, 1965, 79 Stat. 515.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1965—Pub. L. 89–121 limited the opening provisions to cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upwards.
Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–121 required the radiotelephone station to be so located that it is sheltered to the greatest possible extent from noise which might impair the correct reception of messages and signals.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89–121 substituted “on the frequencies, and using the classes of emission, designated” for “on the frequencies and with types of emissions designated”.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89–121 substituted “radiotelephone installation” for “transmitter” and inserted provisions requiring the installation to be capable of receiving clearly perceptible signals over the minimum normal range.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 89–121 substituted “a main source of electrical energy” for “a source of energy”, “at least six continuous hours” for “at least six hours continuously”, and “installations made on or after November 19, 1952, a reserve source of electrical energy” for “in installations an emergency source of energy”.
47 U.S.C. § 355 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 355. Survival craft
Every ship required to be provided with survival craft radio by treaty to which the United States is a party, by statute, or by regulation made in conformity with a treaty, convention, or statute, shall be fitted with efficient radio equipment appropriate to such requirement under such rules and regulations as the Commission may find necessary for safety of life. For purposes of this section, “radio equipment” shall include portable as well as nonportable apparatus.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 357, formerly § 355, as added May 20, 1937, ch. 229, § 10(b), 50 Stat. 194; renumbered § 357 and amended Aug. 13, 1954, ch. 729, § 2(a)(1), (e), 68 Stat. 706, 707; Pub. L. 89–121, § 8, Aug. 13, 1965, 79 Stat. 516.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1965—Pub. L. 89–121 substituted “survival craft” for “lifeboat”.
1954—Act Aug. 13, 1954, § 2(a)(1), amended credit to section by changing section number from “355” to “357” of act June 19, 1934.
Act Aug. 13, 1954, § 2(e), provided that lifeboats be equipped with “radio equipment” rather than a “radio installation” and defined “radio equipment” as including portable as well as nonportable apparatus.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective May 20, 1937, unless deferred by the Commission, see section 16 of act May 20, 1937, set out as a note under section 351 of this title.
47 U.S.C. § 356 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 356. Approval of installations by Commission
Insofar as is necessary to carry out the purposes and requirements of this part, the Commission shall have authority, for any ship subject to this part—
(1) To approve the details as to the location and manner of installations of the equipment required by this part or of equipment necessitated by reason of the purposes and requirements of this part.
(2) To approve installations, apparatus, and spare parts necessary to comply with the purposes and requirements of this part.
(3) To prescribe such additional equipment as may be determined to be necessary to supplement that specified in this part, for the proper functioning of the radio installation installed in accordance with this part or for the proper conduct of radio communication in time of emergency or distress.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 358, formerly § 356, as added May 20, 1937, ch. 229, § 10(b), 50 Stat. 194; renumbered § 358, Aug. 13, 1954, ch. 729, § 2(a)(1), 68 Stat. 706; amended Pub. L. 103–414, title III, § 303(a)(19), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4295.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This part, referred to in text, commences with section 351 of this title.
heading: Amendments
text: 1994—Pub. L. 103–414 struck out “(a)” before “Insofar as”.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective May 20, 1937, see section 16 of act May 20, 1937, set out as a note under section 351 of this title.
47 U.S.C. § 358 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 358. Master’s control over operations
The radio installation, the operators, the regulation of their watches, the transmission and receipt of messages, and the radio service of the ship except as they may be regulated by law or international agreement, or by rules and regulations made in pursuance thereof, shall in the case of a ship of the United States be under the supreme control of the master.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 360, formerly § 358, as added May 20, 1937, ch. 229, § 10(b), 50 Stat. 195; renumbered § 360, ch. 729, § 2(a)(1), Aug. 13, 1954, 68 Stat. 706.)
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective May 20, 1937, see section 16 of act May 20, 1937, set out as a note under section 351 of this title.
47 U.S.C. § 361 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 361. Control by Commission; review of decisions
Nothing in this subchapter shall be interpreted as lessening in any degree the control of the Commission over all matters connected with the radio equipment and its operation on shipboard and its decision and determination in regard to the radio requirements, installations, or exemptions from prescribed radio requirements shall be final, subject only to review in accordance with law.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 363, formerly § 361, as added May 20, 1937, ch. 229, § 10(b), 50 Stat. 196; renumbered § 363, Aug. 13, 1954, ch. 729, § 2(a)(1), 68 Stat. 706.)
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective May 20, 1937, see section 16 of act May 20, 1937, set out as a note under section 351 of this title.
47 U.S.C. § 362 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 362. Forfeitures; recovery
The following forfeitures shall apply to this part, in addition to the penalties and forfeitures provided by subchapter V of this chapter:
(a) Any ship that leaves or attempts to leave any harbor or port of the United States in violation of the provisions of this part, or the rules and regulations of the Commission made in pursuance thereof, or any ship of the United States that is navigated outside of any harbor or port in violation of any of the provisions of this part, or the rules and regulations of the Commission made in pursuance thereof, shall forfeit to the United States the sum of $5,000, recoverable by way of suit or libel. Each such departure or attempted departure, and in the case of a ship of the United States each day during which such navigation occurs shall constitute a separate offense.
(b) Every willful failure on the part of the master of a ship of the United States to enforce or to comply with the provisions of this chapter or the rules and regulations of the Commission as to equipment, operators, watches, or radio service shall cause him to forfeit to the United States the sum of $1,000.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 364, formerly § 362, as added May 20, 1937, ch. 229, § 10(b), 50 Stat. 196; renumbered § 364, Aug. 13, 1954, ch. 729, § 2(a)(1), 68 Stat. 706; amended Pub. L. 101–239, title III, § 3002(g), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2131.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This part, referred to in text, commences with section 351 of this title.
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b), was in the original “this Act”, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Communications Act of 1934, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables.
heading: Amendments
text: 1989—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–239, § 3002(g)(1), substituted “$5,000” for “$500”.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–239, § 3002(g)(2), substituted “$1,000” for “$100”.
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective May 20, 1937, see section 16 of act May 20, 1937, set out as a note under section 351 of this title.
47 U.S.C. § 363 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 363. Automated ship distress and safety systems
Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or any other provision of law or regulation, a ship documented under the laws of the United States operating in accordance with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System provisions of the Safety of Life at Sea Convention shall not be required to be equipped with a radio telegraphy station operated by one or more radio officers or operators. This section shall take effect for each vessel upon a determination by the United States Coast Guard that such vessel has the equipment required to implement the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System installed and operating in good working condition.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 365, as added Pub. L. 104–104, title II, § 206, Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 114.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Communications Act of 1934, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Transfer of Functions
text: For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.
47 U.S.C. § 381 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 381. Vessels transporting more than six passengers for hire required to be equipped with radiotelephone
Except as provided in section 382 of this title, it shall be unlawful for any vessel of the United States, transporting more than six passengers for hire, to be navigated in the open sea or any tidewater within the jurisdiction of the United States adjacent or contiguous to the open sea, unless such vessel is equipped with an efficient radiotelephone installation in operating condition.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 381, as added Aug. 6, 1956, ch. 973, § 1, 70 Stat. 1047; amended Pub. L. 103–414, title III, § 303(a)(20)(A), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4295.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1994—Pub. L. 103–414 inserted section catchline.
heading: Statutory Notes
heading: Effective Date
text: Section 4 of act Aug. 6, 1956, provided that: “The amendments made herein [enacting this part and amending sections 153 and 504 of this title] shall take effect March 1, 1957.”
47 U.S.C. § 382 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 382. Vessels excepted from radiotelephone requirement
The provisions of this part shall not apply to—
(1) vessels which are equipped with a radio installation in accordance with the provisions of part II of this subchapter, or in accordance with the radio requirements of the Safety Convention; and
(2) vessels of the United States belonging to and operated by the Government, and
(3) vessels navigating on the Great Lakes.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 382, as added Aug. 6, 1956, ch. 973, § 1, 70 Stat. 1048; amended Pub. L. 103–414, title III, § 303(a)(20)(B), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4295; Pub. L. 104–104, title IV, § 403(h)(2), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 131.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: Part II of this subchapter, referred to in par. (1), is classified to section 351 et seq. of this title.
heading: Amendments
text: 1996—Par. (2). Pub. L. 104–104 struck out “except a vessel of the United States Maritime Administration, the Inland and Coastwise Waterways Service, or the Panama Canal Company,” after “the Government,”.
1994—Pub. L. 103–414 inserted section catchline.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective Mar. 1, 1957, see section 4 of act Aug. 6, 1956, set out as a note under section 381 of this title.
47 U.S.C. § 383 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 383. Exemptions by Commission
The Commission shall exempt from the provisions of this part any vessel, or class of vessels, in the case of which the route or conditions of the voyage, or other conditions or circumstances, are such as to render a radio installation unreasonable, unnecessary, or ineffective, for the purposes of this chapter.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 383, as added Aug. 6, 1956, ch. 973, § 1, 70 Stat. 1048; amended Pub. L. 103–414, title III, § 303(a)(20)(C), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4295.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Communications Act of 1934, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables.
heading: Amendments
text: 1994—Pub. L. 103–414 inserted section catchline.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective Mar. 1, 1957, see section 4 of act Aug. 6, 1956, set out as a note under section 381 of this title.
47 U.S.C. § 384 (TELECOMMUNICATIONS)
§ 384. Authority of Commission; operations, installations, and additional equipment
The Commission shall have authority with respect to any vessel subject to this part—
(1) to specify operating and technical conditions and characteristics including frequencies, emissions, power, communication capability and range, of installations required by reason of this part;
(2) to approve the details as to the location and manner of installation of the equipment required by this part or of equipment necessitated by reason of the purposes and requirements of this part;
(3) to approve installations, apparatus and spare parts necessary to comply with the purposes and requirements of this part;
(4) to prescribe such additional equipment as may be determined to be necessary to supplement that specified herein for the proper functioning of the radio installation installed in accordance with this part or for the proper conduct of radio communication in time of emergency or distress.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 384, as added Aug. 6, 1956, ch. 973, § 1, 70 Stat. 1048; amended Pub. L. 103–414, title III, § 303(a)(20)(D), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4295.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: Amendments
text: 1994—Pub. L. 103–414 inserted section catchline.
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Effective Date
text: Section effective Mar. 1, 1957, see section 4 of act Aug. 6, 1956, set out as a note under section 381 of this title.