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S. 415 112th Congress Senate

Spectrum Optimization Act

Official title: A bill to provide the FCC with authority to conduct incentive auctions, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 17, 2011 Introduced by: Mark R. Warner Democratic · Virginia See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Licensing and registrations
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This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 17, 2011
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Feb 17, 2011
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action February 17, 2011

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Spectrum Optimization Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish competitive bidding rules for conducting auctions of certain licensed spectrum that a licensee voluntarily relinquishes for assignment of new initial licenses subject to new service rules or for other purposes, in which a portion of the auction proceeds are shared with such relinquishing licensees.

Requires the FCC to commence such auctions (commonly referred to as incentive auctions) within two years after enactment of this Act.

Excludes such proceeds from being deposited in the Treasury under specified provisions.

 Related & companion bills 5
  • HR 911 Spectrum Inventory and Auction Act of 2011
  • HR 1622 Spectrum Innovation Act
  • S 28 Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act
  • S 455 RADIOS Act
  • S 522 Spectrum Relocation Improvement Act of 2011
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 415: Spectrum Optimization Act. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-415/
MLA
"S. 415: Spectrum Optimization Act." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-415/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 415, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-415/.
Markdown link
[S. 415: Spectrum Optimization Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-S-415/)
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