Skip to main content
HR 1320 108th Congress House

Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act

Official title: To amend the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to facilitate the reallocation of spectrum from governmental to commercial users.

Introduced: April 29, 2003 See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative procedureAuctionsCommerceCompetitive bidding
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
CongressCongressional reporting requirementsCostsEconomics and Public FinanceFederal Communications CommissionFederal budgetsGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment and businessGovernment lendingGovernment paperworkGovernment propertyGovernment spending reductionsGovernment trust fundsIndependent regulatory commissionsLawLicensesRadio spectrum allocationRadio stationsRelocationSmall businessWireless communication
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) 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 21 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 17, 2003
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 314.
Oct 17, 2003
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with an amendment. With written report No. 108-168. Additional views filed.
Jun 26, 2003
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Jun 12, 2003
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jun 11, 2003
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 11, 2003
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 408 - 10 (Roll no. 260). (text: CR H5180-5181)
Jun 11, 2003
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5198)
Jun 11, 2003
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Jun 11, 2003
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1320.
Jun 11, 2003
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5179-5185)
Jun 11, 2003
Mr. Upton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jun 3, 2003
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 71.
Jun 3, 2003
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 108-137.
Apr 30, 2003
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 30, 2003
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 9, 2003
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 9, 2003
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 25, 2003
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 24, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
Mar 18, 2003
Introduced in House
Mar 18, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jun 11, 2003 House · vote #260 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 408–10 See who voted →
 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 October 17, 2003

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 314.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act - Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to revise provisions concerning the reallocation of spectrum from governmental to commercial users.

Mandates that any Federal entity that operates a Government station assigned within a specified band of frequencies and that incurs relocation costs due to reallocation to non-Federal use receive reimbursement from the Spectrum Relocation Fund established in this Act in lieu of any other authorized Federal payment. Requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to notify the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of estimated relocation costs at least six months prior to the commencement of any auction of eligible frequencies.

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the FCC: (1) in designing competitive bidding under such auctions, to have as an objective the recovery of 110 percent of the estimated relocation costs; (2) prescribe methods by which the total cash proceeds from any auction equals at least 110 percent of such costs; and (3) prohibit the FCC from concluding any auction under which such goal is not reached. Authorizes the FCC to grant a license for the advance use of eligible frequencies pending an auction, on the condition that the licensee cannot cause harmful interference to the Federal entity until the entity's authorization has been terminated.

Establishes the Fund. Exempts the Fund from sequestration under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

Provides the basis for loans or other extensions of credit made from the Telecommunications Development Fund (established under prior law).

 Bill text 5 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Republican 1
R
Issa, Darrell
California · Apr 29, 2003
TAUZIN, W.
· Mar 18, 2003
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1320: Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1320/
MLA
"H.R. 1320: Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1320/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1320, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1320/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1320: Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1320/)
Report a problem