Bill Sponsor
House Bill 682
118th Congress(2023-2024)
Launch Communications Act
Active
Active
Passed House on Jul 25, 2023
Overview
Text
Introduced
Jan 31, 2023
Latest Action
Jul 26, 2023
Origin Chamber
House
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
682
Congress
118
Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Science, Technology, Communications
Primary focus of measure is natural sciences, space exploration, research policy and funding, research and development, STEM education, scientific cooperation and communication; technology policies, telecommunication, information technology; digital media, journalism. Measures concerning scientific education may fall under Education policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Florida
Republican
Florida
House Votes (1)
Senate Votes (0)
checkPassed on July 25, 2023
Status
Passed
Type
Voice Vote
Voice Vote
A vote in which the presiding officer states the question, then asks those in favor and against to say "Yea" or "Nay," respectively, and announces the result according to his or her judgment. The names or numbers of senators voting on each side are not recorded.
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)
Summary

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.

Text (4)
July 26, 2023
July 25, 2023
July 25, 2023
January 31, 2023
Actions (17)
07/26/2023
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
07/25/2023
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
07/25/2023
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3928)
07/25/2023
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)
07/25/2023
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 682.
07/25/2023
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3928-3929)
07/25/2023
Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
07/25/2023
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 124.
07/25/2023
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-156.
03/24/2023
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
03/24/2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
03/23/2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
03/08/2023
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 0 .
03/08/2023
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
01/31/2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
01/31/2023
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
01/31/2023
Introduced in House
Bill Intelligence
Key Points
  • The purpose of the bill is to grant access to spectrum for commercial space launches and reentries.

  • The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must complete any ongoing proceedings related to the adoption of service rules for accessing frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries.

  • The proceedings should include technical specifications, eligibility requirements, coordination procedures to protect national defense capabilities, and the allocation of frequencies on a secondary basis.

  • This action must be completed within 90 days of the bill's enactment.

OpenAIOpenAI
Written with ChatGPT·Jul 27, 2023
Text Analyzed:Reported in House
Graphics
H.R.682 118 Launch Communications Act (2)
H.R.682 118 Launch Communications Act
Public Record
Record Updated
Jul 24, 2024 3:18:16 PM