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118th Congress Science, Technology, Communications

S. 1648: Launch Communications Act

Became LawPublic Law 118-85, signed Sep 26, 2024

  1. Introduced (completed)May 17, 2023
  2. Passed Senate (completed)Oct 31, 2023
  3. Passed House (completed)Sep 17, 2024
  4. To the President (completed)Sep 24, 2024
  5. Became law (completed)Sep 26, 2024

Summary

Public Law, Sep 26, 2024

This act 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 act requires the FCC to (1) 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), and (2) allocate the frequencies.

Read the full summary

The FCC must also streamline the process for access authorizations, including by 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) electronic filing and processing of access applications, and (4) improved coordination between the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to increase the speed of the review of such applications.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

1

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

160 points earned
  1. 1Eric Schmitt R-MO SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reported, passed Senate, passed House, became law6 events+156
  2. 2John Hickenlooper D-COCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
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Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Eric Schmitt

History

  1. Sep 26, 2024Signed by the President. Became Public Law 118-85.
  2. Sep 24, 2024Presented to the President.
  3. Sep 17, 2024Passed the House by voice vote.
  4. Oct 31, 2023Passed the Senate by unanimous consent.
  5. May 17, 2023Introduced in the Senate by Eric Schmitt.
Show the full action history (19 actions)
  1. Sep 26, 2024Signed by President.
  2. Sep 26, 2024Became Public Law No: 118-85.
  3. Sep 24, 2024Presented to President.
  4. Sep 17, 2024Mrs. Rodgers (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  5. Sep 17, 2024Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5309-5310)
  6. Sep 17, 2024DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1648.
  7. Sep 17, 2024Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)
  8. Sep 17, 2024On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)
  9. Sep 17, 2024Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  10. Nov 6, 2023Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  11. Nov 6, 2023Received in the House.
  12. Nov 6, 2023Held at the desk.
  13. Oct 31, 2023Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)
  14. Oct 31, 2023Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)
  15. Sep 18, 2023Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with amendments. Without written report.
  16. Sep 18, 2023Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 209.
  17. Jul 27, 2023Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
  18. May 17, 2023Introduced in Senate
  19. May 17, 2023Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.