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HR 531 102th Congress House

Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1991

Official title: To establish procedures to improve the allocation and assignment to the electromagnetic spectrum, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 12, 1991 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Congressional reporting requirementsCost controlFederal advisory bodiesRadio spectrum allocation
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Telecommunication industryTelecommunication policy
This bill died when the 102nd Congress ended
It never became law before the 102nd Congress (1991–1992) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 19 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 10, 1991
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 152.
Jul 9, 1991
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 9, 1991
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Jul 9, 1991
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Jul 9, 1991
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Jul 9, 1991
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Jul 9, 1991
Mr. Markey moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jun 18, 1991
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 73.
Jun 18, 1991
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 102-113.
May 21, 1991
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 21, 1991
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
May 2, 1991
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 2, 1991
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Mar 12, 1991
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 22, 1991
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 21, 1991
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 11, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
Jan 15, 1991
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 15, 1991
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 10, 1991

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 152.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1991 - Requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct, at least biannually, and to report to specified congressional committees, the FCC, and the Secretary of Commerce annually on joint electromagnetic spectrum planning with respect to: (1) future spectrum requirements for public and private uses and the allocation actions to accommodate those uses; and (2) actions to promote the efficient use of the spectrum.

Directs the Secretary to submit to the President and the Congress a report identifying bands of frequencies that: (1) are allocated on a primary basis for Federal Government use and eligible for licensing pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act); (2) are not required for the present or identifiable future needs of the Government; (3) can be made available for use under the Act (other than for Government stations); (4) are most likely to have the greatest potential for productive uses and public benefits; and (5) will not result in excessive costs to the Federal Government or losses of services or benefits to the public. Sets forth criteria for identifying, and recommending for reassignment, such frequencies. Prohibits withdrawal of the assignment of frequencies to any Federal power agency.

Requires the Secretary to submit to the Congress a report which makes a preliminary identification of reallocable bands of frequencies.

Directs the Secretary to convene an advisory committee to: (1) review the bands of frequencies identified in the preliminary report; (2) advise the Secretary with respect to the bands of frequencies which should be included in the final report; (3) receive public comment on the reports; and (4) prepare and submit to the Secretary and specified congressional committees a report on recommendations for the reform of the process of allocating the electromagnetic spectrum between Federal and non-Federal use.

Directs the President, after receiving the final report, to: (1) withdraw the assignment to a Government station of any frequency which such report recommends for reallocation; (2) withdraw or limit the assignment to a Government station of any frequency which such report recommends be reallocated or made available for mixed use; (3) assign or reassign other frequencies to Government stations as necessary to adjust to such withdrawal or limitation of assignments; and (4) notify the FCC and each House of Congress of the actions taken. Authorizes the President to substitute alternative frequencies in the interest of national defense, important governmental needs, public health or safety, or Federal financial considerations.

Directs the FCC to submit to the President and the Congress a plan for the distribution of the reallocated frequency bands.

Authorizes the President to reclaim reassigned frequencies for reassignment to Government stations. Sets forth procedures for reclaiming frequencies. Authorizes appropriations to cover the costs of reclaiming frequencies.

 Related & companion bills 6
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 531: Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1991. 102nd Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-531/
MLA
"H.R. 531: Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1991." 102nd Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-531/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 531, 102nd Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-531/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 531: Emerging Telecommunications Technologies Act of 1991](https://openamerica.io/bill/102-HR-531/)
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