Launch Communications Act

Bill: 118-hr-682
Sponsor: Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
Introduced: 2023-01-31 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Intergovernmental relations
Radio spectrum allocation
Space flight and exploration
Spacecraft and satellites
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2023-01-31
text: 

Launch Communications Act

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to facilitate access to specified broadband spectrum frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries.
 
Under current law, commercial missions launching from the United States to space must use government-owned spectrum to communicate with the rockets during launch, and private companies must apply to the FCC to receive special temporary authority to use such spectrum. On June 28, 2021, the FCC issued a final rule adopting a nonfederal secondary allocation of the 2200-2290 megahertz frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for use during commercial space launches and reentries.
 
The bill requires the FCC to adopt service rules for access to additional frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries and complete associated rulemaking activities (e.g., those that set technical specifications and eligibility requirements) to implement the allocation of the frequencies.
 
The FCC must also streamline the process for access authorizations, providing for (1) authorizations to access specified frequencies for multiple commercial space launches and reentries from one or more launch or reentry sites, (2) authorizations for multiple uses of such frequencies for a commercial space launch or reentry, (3) automation of the FCC's review process for access applications, and (4) increased coordination between the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to speed the review of such applications.

action_date: 2023-07-25
text: 

Launch Communications Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to facilitate access to specified broadband spectrum frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries.

Under current law, commercial missions launching from the United States to space must use government-owned spectrum to communicate with the rockets during launch, and private companies must apply to the FCC to receive special temporary authority to use such spectrum. On June 28, 2021, the FCC issued a final rule adopting a nonfederal secondary allocation of the 2200-2290 megahertz frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for use during commercial space launches and reentries.

The bill requires the FCC to adopt service rules for access to additional frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries and complete associated rulemaking activities (e.g., those that set technical specifications and eligibility requirements) to implement the allocation of the frequencies.

The FCC must also streamline the process for access authorizations to provide for (1) authorizations to access specified frequencies for multiple commercial space launches and reentries from one or more (federal or private) launch sites, (2) authorizations for multiple uses of such frequencies for a commercial space launch or reentry, (3) automation of the FCC's review process for access applications, and (4) improved coordination between the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to speed the review of such applications.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-07-26
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3928)
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3928)
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 682.
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3928-3929)
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 124.
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-156.
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-156.
action_date: 2023-03-24
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
action_date: 2023-03-24
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2023-03-23
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2023-03-08
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 0 .
action_date: 2023-03-08
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2023-01-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2023-01-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2023-01-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-01-31
text: Introduced in House