Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 1648
118th Congress(2023-2024)
Launch Communications Act
Became Law
Became Law
Became Public Law 118-85 on Sep 26, 2024
Overview
Text
Introduced
May 17, 2023
Latest Action
Sep 26, 2024
Origin Chamber
Senate
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
1648
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
Republican
Missouri
Senate Votes (1)
House Votes (1)
checkPassed on October 31, 2023
Status
Passed
Type
Unanimous Consent
Unanimous Consent
A senator may request unanimous consent on the floor to set aside a specified rule of procedure so as to expedite proceedings. If no Senator objects, the Senate permits the action, but if any one senator objects, the request is rejected. Unanimous consent requests with only immediate effects are routinely granted, but ones affecting the floor schedule, the conditions of considering a bill or other business, or the rights of other senators, are normally not offered, or a floor leader will object to it, until all senators concerned have had an opportunity to inform the leaders that they find it acceptable.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)
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 federal or private 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)
Actions (19)
09/26/2024
Became Public Law No: 118-85.
09/26/2024
Signed by President.
09/24/2024
Presented to President.
09/17/2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
09/17/2024
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)
09/17/2024
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)
09/17/2024
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1648.
09/17/2024
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5309-5310)
09/17/2024
Mrs. Rodgers (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
11/06/2023
Held at the desk.
11/06/2023
Received in the House.
11/06/2023
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
10/31/2023
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)
10/31/2023
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)
09/18/2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 209.
09/18/2023
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with amendments. Without written report.
07/27/2023
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
05/17/2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
05/17/2023
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Oct 3, 2024 11:03:20 AM