S 1682 115th Congress Senate Science, Technology, Communications Government studies and investigations Infrastructure development Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Licensing and registrations Rural conditions and development Telephone and wireless communication

AIRWAVES Act

Introduced: August 1, 2017 See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Aug 1, 2017

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

Aug 1, 2017

Introduced in Senate

Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Advancing Innovation and Reinvigorating Widespread Access to Viable Electromagnetic Spectrum Act or the AIRWAVES Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete auctions during each of the next three calendar years that will grant new broadcast licenses for specified frequency spectrum bands.

The FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration are directed to identify frequencies in specified spectrum bands that may be utilized for: (1) non-federal unlicensed use; and (2) commercial licensed use.

The FCC must allocate 10% of proceeds from each of the spectrum band auctions specified in the bill to expand wireless infrastructure in rural areas that are underserved or unserved.

The FCC shall conduct a study on how unlicensed frequency spectrum bands can be utilized for: (1) the provision of healthcare in rural areas, (2) distance learning, and (3) facilitating innovations in agriculture.

What's happening now August 1, 2017

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

Committees of jurisdiction 1