Skip to main content
S 1538 106th Congress Senate

A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify State and local authority to regulate the placement, construction, and modification of broadcast transmission and telecommunications…

Official title: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify State and local authority to regulate the placement, construction, and modification of broadcast tran… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify State and local authority to regulate the placement, construction, and modification of broadcast transmission and telecommunications facilities, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 19, 2000 See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative procedureAirspace (Law)AntennasAviation safety
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Civil actions and liabilityCongressCongressional reporting requirementsEconomics and Public FinanceElectromagnetic wavesEnvironmental ProtectionEnvironmental healthEnvironmental researchEvidence (Law)Federal Communications CommissionFederal aid to medical researchFederal preemptionGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkHealthIndependent regulatory commissionsLand useLawLicensesLocal lawsMicrowavesPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesRadiationRadiation safetyResearch grantsState lawsTransportation and Public WorksUrban affairsWireless communicationZoning and zoning law
This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 5, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Aug 5, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10458)
Aug 5, 1999
Introduced in Senate
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action August 5, 1999

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 (the Act) to repeal a provision which prohibits a State or local government from regulating the placement, construction, and modification of personal wireless service facilities on the basis of environmental effects of radio frequency emissions to the extent that such facilities comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations concerning such emissions. Requires, in an action in which a person is seeking to place, construct, or modify a telecommunications facility, that such person bear the burden of proof as to the necessity of such placement, construction, or modification. Prohibits the FCC from adopting as a final rule a specified proposed rule which preempts State and local authority over the placement of broadcast transmission facilities.

States that no provision of the Act may be interpreted to: (1) authorize any person or entity to place, construct, or modify telecommunications facilities in a manner inconsistent with State or local law if alternative technology is capable of delivering the broadcast or telecommunications signals without the use of a tower; or (2) prohibit a State or local government from requiring the production of safety and interference studies with respect to such facilities.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out an independent assessment of the effects of radio frequency emission on human health. Authorizes appropriations.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1538: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify State and local authority to regulate the placement, construction, and modification of broadcast transmission and telecommunications facilities, and for other purposes.. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1538/
MLA
"S. 1538: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify State and local authority to regulate the placement, construction, and modification of broadcast transmission and telecommunications facilities, and for other purposes.." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1538/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1538, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1538/.
Markdown link
[S. 1538: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify State and local authority to regulate the placement, construction, and modification of broadcast transmission and telecommunications facilities, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1538/)
Report a problem