118th Congress Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 682: Launch Communications Act
Passed House
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed House (completed)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
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.
Read the full summary
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.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Neal Dunn R-FLOriginal
Who scored on this bill
- 1Darren Soto SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reported, passed House4 events+56
- 2Neal DunnCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
See all scorers and every scoring event
Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
Other bills by Darren Soto
History
- Passed the House by voice vote.
- Introduced in the House by Darren Soto.
Show the full action history (17 actions)
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-156.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 124.
- Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3928-3929)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 682.
- 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)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3928)
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 0 .
- Introduced in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.