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HR 1396 108th Congress House

Spectrum Commons and Digital Dividends Act of 2003

Official title: To allocate spectrum for the enhancement of wireless telecommunications, and to invest wireless spectrum auction proceeds for the military preparedness and edu… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To allocate spectrum for the enhancement of wireless telecommunications, and to invest wireless spectrum auction proceeds for the military preparedness and educational preparedness of the United States for the digital era, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 20, 2003 Introduced by: Markey, Edward J. Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
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BroadbandCable televisionCommerceCommunication satellitesCommunity centersCompensation (Law)Competitive biddingComputer literacyComputer softwareCongressCongressional reporting requirementsDisabledEconomics and Public FinanceEducationEducational technologyEducational televisionElementary and secondary educationElementary educationEmployee trainingFamiliesFederal Communications CommissionFederal aid to educationGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment trust fundsHigher educationHistoryHousing and Community DevelopmentIndependent regulatory commissionsInfrastructureLabor and EmploymentLawLibrariesLicensesLow-income housingMuseumsNational serviceNonprofit organizationsOccupational retrainingPublic broadcastingRadio spectrum allocationRadio stationsRelocationResearch and developmentSchool personnelSecondary educationSelf-help devices for the disabledSocial WelfareStandardsTeacher educationTelevision broadcastingTelevision frequency allocationTelevision programsTelevision relay systemsTelevision stationsTrusts and trusteesUnemploymentWireless communicationYouth services
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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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 10, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
Mar 20, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mar 20, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E545)
Mar 20, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Latest action April 10, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Spectrum Commons and Digital Dividends Act of 2003 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish in the Treasury the Digital Dividends Trust Fund to be used for: (1) human capital telecommunications investments; and (2) broadband infrastructure investments for public access and rural technological development.

Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to make funds from such Fund available to the Secretary of Commerce to carry out a: (1) Human Capital Telecommunications Investment Program; and (2) Public Broadband Infrastructure Investments Program. Earmarks a specified amount of funds for the latter program for converting public broadcasting facilities to digital technology.

Directs the Secretary to prepare, make publicly available, and submit to the President, Congress, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) a report that: (1) designates two specified bands of frequencies for reallocation to the public for unlicensed use; (2) designates bands of frequencies for reallocation for the provision of advanced wireless services; and (3) establishes a plan for the relocation or modification of Federal stations currently occupying frequencies located at 1710-1850 megahertz.

Requires the FCC to allocate some of the 1710-1850 megahertz frequencies for wireless services.

Authorizes the relocation of the operations of Federal entities from the frequencies reallocated to wireless services. Establishes a Spectrum Relocation Trust Fund for relocation costs.

Requires a division of the proceeds from spectrum auctions for wireless services between the Relocated Federal Entities Trust Fund and the Digital Dividends Trust Fund.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 1
MCCARTHY, KAREN
· Dec 8, 2003
 D
Larson, John B.
Connecticut · Mar 20, 2003
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1396: Spectrum Commons and Digital Dividends Act of 2003. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1396/
MLA
"H.R. 1396: Spectrum Commons and Digital Dividends Act of 2003." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1396/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1396, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1396/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1396: Spectrum Commons and Digital Dividends Act of 2003](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1396/)
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