Source: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title47-section309&num=0&edition=prelim
Timestamp: 2020-07-05 02:21:07
Document Index: 283295099

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 309', '§402', '§402', '§309', '§7', '§4', '§1242', '§114', '§6', '§6002', '§303', '§801', '§204', '§403', '§707', '§3002', '§3', '§203', '§3002', '§2', '§6401', '§1007', '§101', '§402', '§512', '§921', '§402', '§101', '§101', '§101', '§101', '§402', '§402', '§512', '§6701', '§5', '§3004', '§203', '§3', '§3002', '§403', '§303', '§6002', '§114', '§3002', '§4', '§4', '§90', 'art 79', 'art 79', '§2201', '§2302', '§2', '§2', '§3', '§2', '§4', '§5', '§3007', '§3', '§3008', '§6002', '§6002', '§3002', '§1242']

[USC02] 47 USC 309: Application for license
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47 USC 309: Application for license Text contains those laws in effect on July 3, 2020
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Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, no such application-
Subsection (b) of this section shall not apply-
(2) to any application for-
(1) General authority.-Except as provided in paragraph (5), if there is more than one application for any initial license or construction permit, then the Commission shall have the authority to grant such license or permit to a qualified applicant through the use of a system of random selection.
(2) No license or construction permit shall be granted to an applicant selected pursuant to paragraph (1) unless the Commission determines the qualifications of such applicant pursuant to subsection (a) and section 308(b) of this title. When substantial and material questions of fact exist concerning such qualifications, the Commission shall conduct a hearing in order to make such determinations. For the purpose of making such determinations, the Commission may, by rule, and notwithstanding any other provision of law-
(5) Termination of authority.-(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Commission shall not issue any license or permit using a system of random selection under this subsection after July 1, 1997.
The competitive bidding authority granted by this subsection shall not apply to licenses or construction permits issued by the Commission-
(A) for public safety radio services, including private internal radio services used by State and local governments and non-government entities and including emergency road services provided by not-for-profit organizations, that-
(E) ensure that, in the scheduling of any competitive bidding under this subsection, an adequate period is allowed-
In prescribing regulations pursuant to paragraph (3), the Commission shall-
Nothing in this subsection, or in the use of competitive bidding, shall-
Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the salaries and expenses account of the Commission shall retain as an offsetting collection such sums as may be necessary from such proceeds for the costs of developing and implementing the program required by this subsection. Such offsetting collections shall be available for obligation subject to the terms and conditions of the receiving appropriations account, and shall be deposited in such accounts on a quarterly basis. Such offsetting collections are authorized to remain available until expended.
Any deposits the Commission may require for the qualification of any person to bid in a system of competitive bidding pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited in the Treasury. Within 45 days following the conclusion of the competitive bidding-
(i) the deposits of successful bidders shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury (where such deposits shall be used for the sole purpose of deficit reduction), except as otherwise provided in subparagraphs (D)(ii), (E)(ii), (F), and (G); and
(ii) the deposits of unsuccessful bidders shall be returned to such bidders, and payments representing the return of such deposits shall not be subject to administrative offset under section 3716(c) of title 31.
The Commission may not enter into an agreement for a licensee to relinquish spectrum usage rights in exchange for a share of auction proceeds under clause (i) unless-
(II) All other proceeds shall be deposited-
In this subparagraph, the term "appropriate committees of Congress" means-
The Commission shall, not later than 5 years after August 10, 1993, issue licenses and permits pursuant to this subsection for the use of bands of frequencies that-
The Commission's authority to issue licenses or permits under this subsection shall not take effect unless-
The Commission's authority to issue licenses or permits under this subsection on and after 2 years after August 10, 1993, shall cease to be effective if-
(12) Repealed. Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title IV, §402(i)(4)(A), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1089
The Commission shall recover for the public a portion of the value of the public spectrum resource made available to such person by requiring such person, as a condition for receipt of the license, to agree to pay a sum determined by-
Except with respect to pending applications described in clause (iv) of this subparagraph, the Commission shall prescribe regulations specifying the procedures and criteria by which the Commission will evaluate applications for preferential treatment in its licensing processes (by precluding the filing of mutually exclusive applications) for persons who make significant contributions to the development of a new service or to the development of new technologies that substantially enhance an existing service. Such regulations shall-
In applying this paragraph to any broadband licenses in the personal communications service awarded pursuant to the preferential treatment accorded by the Federal Communications Commission in the Third Report and Order in General Docket 90–314 (FCC 93–550, released February 3, 1994)-
(iv) for purposes of subparagraph (C), the Commission shall permit guaranteed installment payments over a period of 5 years, subject to-
In prescribing any regulations relating to the qualification of bidders for spectrum reclaimed pursuant to subparagraph (B)(i), the Commission, for any license that may be used for any digital television service where the grade A contour of the station is projected to encompass the entirety of a city with a population in excess of 400,000 (as determined using the 1990 decennial census), shall not-
(i) preclude any party from being a qualified bidder for such spectrum on the basis of-
Subparagraph (B) shall not apply to the auction of-
(iv) Repealed. Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title IV, §402(i)(4)(B), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1089
For purposes of clause (v), the term "recovered analog spectrum" means the spectrum between channels 52 and 69, inclusive (between frequencies 698 and 806 megahertz, inclusive) reclaimed from analog television service broadcasting under paragraph (14), other than-
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commission may not prevent a person from participating in a system of competitive bidding under this subsection if such person-
(18) Estimate of upcoming auctions
(A) Not later than September 30, 2018, and annually thereafter, the Commission shall make publicly available an estimate of what systems of competitive bidding authorized under this subsection may be initiated during the upcoming 12-month period.
(B) The estimate under subparagraph (A) shall, to the extent possible, identify the bands of frequencies the Commission expects to be included in each such system of competitive bidding.
If the licensee of a broadcast station submits an application to the Commission for renewal of such license, the Commission shall grant the application if it finds, with respect to that station, during the preceding term of its license-
If the Commission determines, after notice and opportunity for a hearing as provided in subsection (e), that a licensee has failed to meet the requirements specified in paragraph (1) and that no mitigating factors justify the imposition of lesser sanctions, the Commission shall-
With respect to competing applications for initial licenses or construction permits for commercial radio or television stations that were filed with the Commission before July 1, 1997, the Commission shall-
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, §309, 48 Stat. 1085 ; July 16, 1952, ch. 879, §7, 66 Stat. 715 ; Mar. 26, 1954, ch. 110, 68 Stat. 35 ; Jan. 20, 1956, ch. 1, 70 Stat. 3 ; Pub. L. 86–752, §4(a), Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat. 889 ; Pub. L. 88–306, May 14, 1964, 78 Stat. 193 ; Pub. L. 88–307, May 14, 1964, 78 Stat. 194 ; Pub. L. 97–35, title XII, §1242(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 736 ; Pub. L. 97–259, title I, §§114, 115, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1094 ; Pub. L. 98–549, §6(b)(1), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2804 ; Pub. L. 103–66, title VI, §6002(a), (b)(1), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 387 , 392; Pub. L. 103–414, title III, §§303(a)(16), (17), 304(a)(9), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4295 , 4297; Pub. L. 103–465, title VIII, §801, Dec. 8, 1994, 108 Stat. 5050 ; Pub. L. 104–104, title II, §204(a), title IV, §403(j), title VII, §§707(a), 710(c), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 112 , 131, 154, 161; Pub. L. 105–33, title III, §§3002(a)(1)–(3), 3003, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 258 , 260, 265; Pub. L. 107–195, §3(a), (b)(1), June 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 716 , 717; Pub. L. 108–494, title II, §203, Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3993 ; Pub. L. 109–171, title III, §§3002(a), 3003, 3004, Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 21 , 22; Pub. L. 111–4, §§2(b)(2), 5, Feb. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 112 , 114; Pub. L. 112–96, title VI, §§6401(c), 6402, 6404, 6405, 6601, 6701(b), Feb. 22, 2012, 126 Stat. 223 , 224, 230, 245, 252; Pub. L. 114–74, title X, §1007, Nov. 2, 2015, 129 Stat. 624 ; Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title I, §101(b), title IV, §402(h)(2), (i)(4), title V, §512(a), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1081 , 1089, 1097.)
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (h), (j)(4)(C), (6), and (k)(1), 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.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act, referred to in subsec. (j)(9)(B), is title I of Pub. L. 102–538, Oct. 27, 1992, 106 Stat. 3533 . Part B of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§921 et seq.) of chapter 8 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 901 of this title and Tables.
2018-Subsec. (j)(8)(B). Pub. L. 115–141, §402(h)(2), struck out at end: "No sums may be retained under this subparagraph during any fiscal year beginning after September 30, 1998, if the annual report of the Commission under section 154(k) of this title for the second preceding fiscal year fails to include in the itemized statement required by paragraph (3) of such section a statement of each expenditure made for purposes of conducting competitive bidding under this subsection during such second preceding fiscal year."
Subsec. (j)(8)(C). Pub. L. 115–141, §101(b)(1), substituted "the Treasury." for "an interest bearing account at a financial institution designated for purposes of this subsection by the Commission (after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury)." in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (j)(8)(C)(i). Pub. L. 115–141, §101(b)(2)(A), substituted "deposited in the general fund of the Treasury (where such deposits shall be used for the sole purpose of deficit reduction)" for "paid to the Treasury".
Subsec. (j)(8)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 115–141, §101(b)(3), substituted ", and payments representing the return of such deposits shall not be subject to administrative offset under section 3716(c) of title 31." for "; and"
Subsec. (j)(8)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 115–141, §101(b)(2)(B), (4), struck out cl. (iii) which read as follows: "the interest accrued to the account shall be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury, where such amount shall be dedicated for the sole purpose of deficit reduction."
Subsec. (j)(12). Pub. L. 115–141, §402(i)(4)(A), struck out par. (12) which required the Commission to submit to Congress a report evaluating the use of competitive bidding systems.
Subsec. (j)(15)(C)(iv). Pub. L. 115–141, §402(i)(4)(B), struck out cl. (iv) which required the Commission to submit to Congress a report related to the rescheduling of auctions 31 and 44 and progress made by the Commission in the digital television transition.
Subsec. (j)(18). Pub. L. 115–141, §512(a), added par. (18).
2015-Subsec. (j)(11). Pub. L. 114–74 inserted before period at end ", except that, with respect to the electromagnetic spectrum identified under section 1004(a) of the Spectrum Pipeline Act of 2015, such authority shall expire on September 30, 2025".
2012-Subsec. (j)(3)(F). Pub. L. 112–96, §6701(b), substituted "relocation or sharing costs" for "relocation costs".
2009-Subsec. (j)(11). Pub. L. 111–4, §5, substituted "2012" for "2011".
2006-Subsec. (j)(8)(A). Pub. L. 109–171, §3004(1), substituted "subparagraphs (B), (D), and (E)" for "subparagraph (B) or subparagraph (D)".
2004-Subsec. (j)(3)(F). Pub. L. 108–494, §203(a), added subpar. (F).
2002-Subsec. (j)(14)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 107–195, §3(b)(1), struck out at end "The Commission shall complete the assignment of such licenses, and report to the Congress the total revenues from such competitive bidding, by September 30, 2002."
1997-Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 105–33, §3002(a)(2)(A), added par. (1) and struck out heading and text of former par. (1). Text read as follows: "If-
"(1) General authority.-If mutually exclusive applications are accepted for filing for any initial license or construction permit which will involve a use of the electromagnetic spectrum described in paragraph (2), then the Commission shall have the authority, subject to paragraph (10), to grant such license or permit to a qualified applicant through the use of a system of competitive bidding that meets the requirements of this subsection.
"(2) Uses to which bidding may apply.-A use of the electromagnetic spectrum is described in this paragraph if the Commission determines that-
"(A) the principal use of such spectrum will involve, or is reasonably likely to involve, the licensee receiving compensation from subscribers in return for which the licensee-
1996-Subsec. (b)(2)(A) to (G). Pub. L. 104–104, §403(j), redesignated subpars. (B) to (G) as (A) to (F), respectively, and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: "fixed point-to-point microwave stations (exclusive of control and relay stations used as integral parts of mobile radio systems),".
1994-Subsec. (c)(2)(F). Pub. L. 103–414, §303(a)(16), substituted "section 325(c)" for "section 325(b)".
1993-Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 103–66, §6002(b)(1), inserted subsec. heading, added par. (1), struck out former par. (1), and in par. (4), added subpar. (C). Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "If there is more than one application for any initial license or construction permit which will involve any use of the electromagnetic spectrum, then the Commission, after determining that each such application is acceptable for filing, shall have authority to grant such license or permit to a qualified applicant through the use of a system of random selection."
1984-Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 98–549 substituted "section 706" for "section 606" in the original to accommodate renumbering of sections in subchapter VI (section 601 et seq.) of this chapter by section 6(a) of Pub. L. 98–549. Because both sections translate as "section 606 of this title", the amendment by section 6(b)(1) of Pub. L. 98–549 resulted in no change in text.
1982-Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 97–259, §114, substituted "temporary" for "emergency" wherever appearing, "additional periods" for "one additional period", and "180 days" for "ninety days" wherever appearing.
1981-Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 97–35 added subsec. (i).
1964-Subsec. (c)(2)(G). Pub. L. 88–307 inserted "not to exceed sixty days".
1960-Pub. L. 86–752 amended section generally to revise pre-grant procedure, and, among other changes, a public notice was substituted for a mandatory notice to applicants and interested parties before hearings upon applications; the Commission was required to hold applications for 30 days before acting upon them without hearings; interested parties were permitted to file petitions to deny applications before the Commission acted upon them without hearings, in lieu of 30 days after applications were granted; interested parties were required to support their petitions with "specific" allegations of fact; the Commission was permitted to dispense with formal hearings when there are "no substantial or material questions of fact," subject to a requirement that it issue a "concise statement of the reasons" for its action.
1956-Subsec. (c). Act Jan. 20, 1956, struck out hearings with respect to facts which, even if true, would not be grounds for setting aside the Commission's grant; gave the Commission discretion to keep in effect the protested authorization but required the Commission to affirmatively find and set forth that the public interest requires grant to remain in effect; and authorized Commission to redraft issues urged by protestant in accordance with the facts alleged in the protest.
1954-Subsec. (c). Act Mar. 26, 1954, substituted "thirty days" for "fifteen days" in fourth sentence.
1952-Act July 16, 1952, amended section generally to set forth procedure to be followed in cases of denial of applications.
Amendment by section 101(b) of Pub. L. 115–141 effective Oct. 1, 2018, see section 103 of div. P of Pub. L. 115–141, set out as a note under section 156 of this title.
Pub. L. 105–33, title III, §3002(a)(5), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 260 , provided that: "Except as otherwise provided therein, the amendments made by this subsection [amending this section] are effective on July 1, 1997."
Pub. L. 86–752, §4(d)(1)–(3), Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat. 892 , provided that:
Pub. L. 111–4, §4, Feb. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 113 , provided that:
"(a) Permissive Early Termination Under Existing Requirements.-Nothing in this Act [amending this section and section 337 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section 609 of this title, and amending provisions set out as notes under this section] is intended to prevent a licensee of a television broadcast station from terminating the broadcasting of such station's analog television signal (and continuing to broadcast exclusively in the digital television service) prior to the date established by law under section 3002(b) of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 [section 3002(b) of Pub. L. 109–171, set out below] for termination of all licenses for full-power television stations in the analog television service (as amended by section 2 of this Act) so long as such prior termination is conducted in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission's requirements in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 11, 2009], including the flexible procedures established in the Matter of Third Periodic Review of the Commission's Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to Digital Television (FCC 07–228, MB Docket No. 07–91, released December 31, 2007).
"(b) Public Safety Radio Services.-Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall prevent a public safety service licensee from commencing operations consistent with the terms of its license on spectrum recovered as a result of the voluntary cessation of broadcasting in the analog or digital television service pursuant to subsection (a). Any such public safety use shall be subject to the relevant Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 11, 2009], including section 90.545 of the Commission's rules (47 C.F.R. §90.545).
"(c) Expedited Rulemaking.-Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration shall, not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 11, 2009], each adopt or revise its rules, regulations, or orders or take such other actions as may be necessary or appropriate to implement the provisions, and carry out the purposes, of this Act and the amendments made by this Act."
Pub. L. 110–459, Dec. 23, 2008, 122 Stat. 5121 , provided that:
"This Act may be cited as the 'Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act'.
"(a) Program Required.-Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Federal Communications Commission shall, not later than January 15, 2009, develop and implement a program to encourage and permit, to the extent technically feasible and subject to such limitations as the Commission finds to be consistent with the public interest and the requirements of this Act, the broadcasting in the analog television service of only the public safety information and digital transition information specified in subsection (b) during the 30-day period beginning on the day after the date established by law under section 3002(b) of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 [section 3002(b) of Pub. L. 109–171, set out below] for termination of all licenses for full-power television stations in the analog television service and the cessation of broadcasting by full-power stations in the analog television service.
"(b) Information required.-The program required by subsection (a) shall provide for the broadcast of-
"(2) information, in both English and Spanish, and accessible to persons with disabilities, concerning-
"In designing the program required by this Act, the Commission shall-
"(4) take into consideration broadcasters' digital power levels and transition and coordination plans that already have been adopted with respect to cable systems and satellite carriers' systems;
"As used in this Act, the term 'emergency information' has the meaning such term has under part 79 of the regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (47 C.F.R. part 79)."
Pub. L. 109–171, title III, Feb. 8, 2006, 120 Stat. 21 , as amended by Pub. L. 110–53, title XXII, §2201(a), title XXIII, §2302, Aug. 3, 2007, 121 Stat. 537 , 543; Pub. L. 110–295, §2, July 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2972 ; Pub. L. 111–4, §§2(a), (b)(1), 3(a)–(c), Feb. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 112 , 113, provided that:
"(a) Short Title.-This title may be cited as the 'Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005'.
"(b) Definition.-As used in this Act [probably should be "this title"], the term 'Assistant Secretary' means the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce.
"(a) Amendments.-[Amended this section.]
"(b) Terminations of Analog Licenses and Broadcasting.-The Federal Communications Commission shall take such actions as are necessary-
"(c) Conforming Amendments.-[Amended section 337 of this title.]
"(a) Creation of Program.-The Assistant Secretary shall-
"(b) Credit.-The Assistant Secretary may borrow from the Treasury beginning on October 1, 2006, such sums as may be necessary, but not to exceed $1,500,000,000, to implement this section. The Assistant Secretary shall reimburse the Treasury, without interest, as funds are deposited into the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund.
"(c) Program Specifications.-
"(1) Limitations.-
"(A) Two-per-household maximum.-A household may obtain coupons by making a request as required by the regulations under this section between January 1, 2008, and July 31, 2009, inclusive. The Assistant Secretary shall ensure that each requesting household redeems no more than two coupons.
"(B) No combinations of coupons.-Two coupons may not be used in combination toward the purchase of a single digital-to-analog converter box.
"(C) Duration.-All coupons shall expire 3 months after issuance.
"(D) Expired coupons.-The Assistant Secretary may issue to a household, upon request by the household, one replacement coupon for each coupon that was issued to such household and that expired without being redeemed.
"(2) Distribution of coupons.-The Assistant Secretary shall expend not more than $100,000,000 on administrative expenses and shall ensure that the sum of-
"(3) Use of additional amount.-If the Assistant Secretary transmits to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a statement certifying that the sum permitted to be expended under paragraph (2) will be insufficient to fulfill the requests for coupons from eligible households-
"(A) paragraph (2) shall be applied-
"(i) by substituting '$160,000,000' for '$100,000,000'; and
"(ii) by substituting '$1,500,000,000' for '$990,000,000';
"(B) subsection (a)(2) shall be applied by substituting '$1,500,000,000' for '$990,000,000'; and
"(4) Coupon value.-The value of each coupon shall be $40.
"(d) Definition of Digital-to-Analog Converter Box.-For purposes of this section, the term 'digital-to-analog converter box' means a stand-alone device that does not contain features or functions except those necessary to enable a consumer to convert any channel broadcast in the digital television service into a format that the consumer can display on television receivers designed to receive and display signals only in the analog television service, but may also include a remote control device.
"(a) Creation of Program.-The Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security-
"(1) may take such administrative action as is necessary to establish and implement-
"(A) a grant program to assist public safety agencies in the planning and coordination associated with, the acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the use of interoperable communications equipment, software and systems that-
"(b) Eligibility.-To be eligible for assistance under the grant program established under subparagraph (a)(1)(A), an applicant shall submit an application, at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Assistant Secretary may require, including a detailed explanation of how assistance received under the program would be used to improve communications interoperability and ensure interoperability with other public safety agencies in an emergency or a major disaster.
"(c) Criteria for Strategic Technology Reserves.-
"(1) In general.-In evaluating permitted uses under subparagraph (a)(1)(B), the Assistant Secretary shall consider the continuing technological evolution of communications technologies and devices, with its implicit risk of obsolescence, and shall ensure, to the maximum extent feasible, that a substantial part of the reserve involves prenegotiated contracts and other arrangements for rapid deployment of equipment, supplies, and systems (and communications service related to such equipment, supplies, and systems), rather than the warehousing or storage of equipment and supplies currently available at the time the reserve is established.
"(2) Requirements and characteristics.-Funds provided to meet uses described in paragraph (1) shall be used in support of reserves that-
"(3) Additional characteristics.-Portions of the reserve may be virtual and may include items donated on an in-kind contribution basis.
"(4) Allocation of funds.-In evaluating permitted uses under subparagraph (a)(1)(B), the Assistant Secretary shall take into account barriers to immediate deployment, including time and distance, that may slow the rapid deployment of equipment, supplies, and systems (and communications service related to such equipment, supplies, and systems) in the event of an emergency in any State.
"(d) Voluntary Consensus Standards.-In carrying out this section, the Assistant Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall identify and, if necessary, encourage the development and implementation of, voluntary consensus standards for interoperable communications systems to the greatest extent practicable, but shall not require any such standard.
"(e) Inspector General Report and Audits.-
"(1) Report.-Beginning with the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 [Aug. 3, 2007], the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce shall conduct an annual assessment of the management of the grant program implemented under subsection (a)(1) and transmit a report containing the findings of that assessment and any recommendations related thereto to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce.
"(2) Audits.-Beginning with the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce shall conduct financial audits of entities receiving grants from the program implemented under subsection (a)(1), and shall ensure that, over the course of 4 years, such audits cover recipients in a representative sample of not fewer than 25 States or territories. The results of any such audits shall be made publicly available via web site, subject to redaction as the Inspector General determines necessary to protect classified and other sensitive information.
"(f) Rule of Construction.-Nothing in this section shall be construed or interpreted to preclude the use of funds under this section by any public safety agency for interim- or long-term Internet Protocol-based interoperable solutions.
"(h)[(g)] Credit.-The Assistant Secretary may borrow from the Treasury beginning on October 1, 2006, such sums as may be necessary, but not to exceed $1,000,000,000, to implement this section. The Assistant Secretary shall reimburse the Treasury, without interest, as funds are deposited into the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund.
"(i)[(h)] Condition of Grants.-In order to obtain a grant under the grant program, a public safety agency shall agree to provide, from non-Federal sources, not less than 20 percent of the costs of acquiring and deploying the interoperable communications systems funded under the grant program.
"(j)[(i)] Definitions.-For purposes of this section:
"(1) Public safety agency.-The term 'public safety agency' means any State, local, or tribal government entity, or nongovernmental organization authorized by such entity, whose sole or principal purpose is to protect the safety of life, health, or property.
"(2) Interoperable communications systems.-The term 'interoperable communications systems' means communications systems which enable public safety agencies to share information amongst local, State, Federal, and tribal public safety agencies in the same area via voice or data signals.
"(a) Funds Available.-From the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund established under section 309(j)(8)(E) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(8)(E)) the Assistant Secretary shall make payments of not to exceed $30,000,000, in the aggregate, which shall be available to carry out this section for fiscal years 2007 through 2008. The Assistant Secretary may borrow from the Treasury beginning October 1, 2006, such sums as may be necessary not to exceed $30,000,000 to implement and administer the program in accordance with this section. The Assistant Secretary shall reimburse the Treasury, without interest, as funds are deposited into the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund.
"(b) Use of Funds.-The sums available under subsection (a) shall be made available by the Assistant Secretary by grant to be used to reimburse the Metropolitan Television Alliance for costs incurred in the design and deployment of a temporary digital television broadcast system to ensure that, until a permanent facility atop the Freedom Tower is constructed, the members of the Metropolitan Television Alliance can provide the New York City area with an adequate digital television signal as determined by the Federal Communications Commission.
"(1) Metropolitan television alliance.-The term 'Metropolitan Television Alliance' means the organization formed by New York City television broadcast station licensees to locate new shared facilities as a result of the attacks on September 11, 2001 and the loss of use of shared facilities that housed broadcast equipment.
"(2) New york city area.-The term 'New York City area' means the five counties comprising New York City and counties of northern New Jersey in immediate proximity to New York City (Bergen, Essex, Union, and Hudson Counties).
"(a) Creation of Program.-
"(1) In General.-The Assistant Secretary shall make payments of not to exceed $10,000,000, in the aggregate, during the fiscal year 2008 and 2009 period from the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund established under section 309(j)(8)(E) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(8)(E)) to implement and administer a program through which each eligible low-power television station may receive compensation toward the cost of the purchase of a digital-to-analog conversion device that enables it to convert the incoming digital signal of its corresponding full-power television station to analog format for transmission on the low-power television station's analog channel. An eligible low-power television station may receive such compensation only if it submits a request for such compensation on or before June 12, 2009. Priority compensation shall be given to eligible low-power television stations in which the license is held by a non-profit corporation and eligible low-power television stations that serve rural areas of fewer than 10,000 viewers.
"(2) Use of funds.-As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of the DTV Transition Assistance Act [July 30, 2008], the Assistant Secretary shall make a determination, which the Assistant Secretary may adjust from time to time, with respect to whether the full amount provided under paragraph (1) will be needed for payments under that paragraph. If the Assistant Secretary determines that the full amount will not be needed for payments authorized by paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary may use the remaining amount for consumer education and technical assistance regarding the digital television transition and the availability of the digital-to-analog converter box program (in addition to any amounts expended for such purpose under [section] 3005(c)(2)(A) of this title), including partnering with, providing grants to, and contracting with non-profit organizations or public interest groups in achieving these efforts. If the Assistant Secretary initiates such an education program, the Assistant Secretary shall develop a plan to address the educational and technical assistance needs of vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens, individuals residing in rural and remote areas, and minorities, including, where appropriate, education plans focusing on the need for analog pass-through digital converter boxes in areas served by low power or translator stations, and shall consider the speed with which these objectives can be accomplished to the greatest public benefit.
"(b) Credit.-The Assistant Secretary may borrow from the Treasury beginning October 1, 2006, such sums as may be necessary, but not to exceed $10,000,000, to implement this section. The Assistant Secretary shall reimburse the Treasury, without interest, as funds are deposited into the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund.
"(c) Eligible Stations.-For purposes of this section, the term 'eligible low-power television station' means a low-power television broadcast station, Class A television station, television translator station, or television booster station-
"(a) Establishment.-The Assistant Secretary shall make payments of not to exceed $65,000,000, in the aggregate, during fiscal years 2009 through 2012 from the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund established under section 309(j)(8)(E) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(8)(E)) to implement and administer a program through which each licensee of an eligible low-power television station may receive reimbursement for equipment to upgrade low-power television stations from analog to digital in eligible rural communities, as that term is defined in section 610(b)(2) [601(b)(2)] of the Rural Electrification Act of 1937 [1936] (7 U.S.C. 950bb(b)(2)). Such reimbursements shall be issued to eligible stations on or after February 18, 2009. Priority reimbursements shall be given to eligible low-power television stations in which the license is held by a non-profit corporation and eligible low-power television stations that serve rural areas of fewer than 10,000 viewers.
"(b) Eligible Stations.-For purposes of this section, the term 'eligible low-power television station' means a low-power television broadcast station, Class A television station, television translator station, or television booster station-
"(a) In General.-The Assistant Secretary shall make payments of not to exceed $43,500,000, in the aggregate, from the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund established under section 309(j)(8)(E) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(8)(E)) to implement the ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004 [title I of Pub. L. 108–494, see Short Title of 2004 Amendment note set out under section 901 of this title].
"(b) Credit.-The Assistant Secretary may borrow from the Treasury, upon enactment of the 911 Modernization Act [Aug. 3, 2007], such sums as necessary, but not to exceed $43,500,000, to implement this section. The Assistant Secretary shall reimburse the Treasury, without interest, as funds are deposited into the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund.
"(a) In General.-If the amount appropriated to carry out the essential air service program under subchapter II of chapter 417 of title 49, United States Code, equals or exceeds $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2007 or 2008, then the Secretary of Commerce shall make $15,000,000 available, from the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund established by section 309(j)(8)(E) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(8)(E)), to the Secretary of Transportation for use in carrying out the essential air service program for that fiscal year.
"(b) Application With Other Funds.-Amounts made available under subsection (a) for any fiscal year shall be in addition to any amounts-
"(c) Advances.-The Secretary of Transportation may borrow from the Treasury such sums as may be necessary, but not to exceed $30,000,000 on a temporary and reimbursable basis to implement subsection (a). The Secretary of Transportation shall reimburse the Treasury, without interest, as funds are deposited into the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund under section 309(j)(8)(E) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(8)(E)) and made available to the Secretary under subsection (a).
[ Pub. L. 111–4, §3(d), Feb. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 113 , provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending section 3005(c)(1) of Pub. L. 109–171, set out above] shall not take effect until the enactment of additional budget authority after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 11, 2009] to carry out the analog-to-digital converter box program under section 3005 of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 [section 3005 of Pub. L. 109–171, set out above]."]
Pub. L. 107–195, §2, June 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 715 , provided that: "Congress finds the following:
"(6) The Commission's rules governing voluntary mechanisms for vacating the 700 megahertz band by broadcast stations-
Pub. L. 107–195, §4, June 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 717 , provided that: "The Federal Communications Commission shall conduct rescheduled auctions 31 and 44 prior to the expiration of the auction authority under section 309(j)(11) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(11))."
Pub. L. 107–195, §5, June 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 717 , provided that: "Nothing in this Act [see Short Title of 2002 Amendment note set out under section 609 of this title] shall be construed to relieve television broadcast station licensees of the obligation to complete the digital television service conversion as required by section 309(j)(14) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(14))."
Pub. L. 105–33, title III, §3007, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 269 , which provided that the Commission was to conduct the competitive bidding required under title III of Pub. L. 105–33, which enacted section 337 of this title, amended this section and sections 153, 303, and 923 to 925 of this title, enacted provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 153, 254, and 925 of this title, and repealed provisions set out as a note under this section, in a manner that ensured that all proceeds of such bidding would be deposited in accordance with section 309(j)(8) of this title not later than Sept. 30, 2002, was repealed by Pub. L. 107–195, §3(b)(2), June 19, 2002, 116 Stat. 717 .
Pub. L. 105–33, title III, §3008, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 269 , provided that: "Notwithstanding section 309(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(b)), no application for an instrument of authorization for frequencies assigned under this title [enacting section 337 of this title, amending this section and sections 153, 303, and 923 to 925 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 153, 254, and 925 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under this section] (or amendments made by this title) shall be granted by the Commission earlier than 7 days following issuance of public notice by the Commission of the acceptance for filing of such application or of any substantial amendment thereto. Notwithstanding section 309(d)(1) of such Act (47 U.S.C. 309(d)(1)), the Commission may specify a period (no less than 5 days following issuance of such public notice) for the filing of petitions to deny any application for an instrument of authorization for such frequencies."
Pub. L. 103–66, title VI, §6002(d)(1), (2), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 396 , provided that:
"(1) General rulemaking.-The Federal Communications Commission shall prescribe regulations to implement section 309(j) of the Communications Act of 1934 [47 U.S.C. 309(j)] (as added by this section) within 210 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 10, 1993].
"(2) PCS orders and licensing.-The Commission shall-
"(A) within 180 days after such date of enactment, issue a final report and order (i) in the matter entitled 'Redevelopment of Spectrum to Encourage Innovation in the Use of New Telecommunications Technologies' (ET Docket No. 92–9); and (ii) in the matter entitled 'Amendment of the Commission's Rules to Establish New Personal Communications Services' (GEN Docket No. 90–314; ET Docket No. 92–100); and
Pub. L. 103–66, title VI, §6002(e), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 397 , which provided for exceptions to ban on Federal Communications Commission issuance of licenses and permits under section 309(i) of this title after Aug. 10, 1993, was repealed by Pub. L. 105–33, title III, §3002(a)(4), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 260 .
Pub. L. 97–35, title XII, §1242(b), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 737 , provided that: "The Commission shall have authority to use the system of random selection established by the Commission under section 309(i) of the Communications Act of 1934 [subsec. (i) of this section], as added in subsection (a), with respect to any application for an initial license or construction permit which will involve any use of the electromagnetic spectrum and which-