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HR 682 118th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory procedures Aviation and airports Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Intergovernmental relations Radio spectrum allocation Space flight and exploration Spacecraft and satellites Telephone and wireless communication

Launch Communications Act

Introduced: January 31, 2023 Introduced by: Soto, Darren Democratic · Florida See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 17 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 26, 2023
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 25, 2023
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3928)
Jul 25, 2023
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3928)
Jul 25, 2023
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 682.
Jul 25, 2023
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 25, 2023
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3928-3929)
Jul 25, 2023
Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 25, 2023
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 124.
Jul 25, 2023
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-156.
Mar 24, 2023
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.
Mar 24, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 23, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 8, 2023
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 0 .
Mar 8, 2023
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jan 31, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Jan 31, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 31, 2023
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Launch Communications Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to facilitate access to specified broadband spectrum frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries.

Under current law, commercial missions launching from the United States to space must use government-owned spectrum to communicate with the rockets during launch, and private companies must apply to the FCC to receive special temporary authority to use such spectrum. On June 28, 2021, the FCC issued a final rule adopting a nonfederal secondary allocation of the 2200-2290 megahertz frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for use during commercial space launches and reentries.

The bill requires the FCC to adopt service rules for access to additional frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries and complete associated rulemaking activities (e.g., those that set technical specifications and eligibility requirements) to implement the allocation of the frequencies.

The FCC must also streamline the process for access authorizations to provide for (1) authorizations to access specified frequencies for multiple commercial space launches and reentries from one or more (federal or private) launch sites, (2) authorizations for multiple uses of such frequencies for a commercial space launch or reentry, (3) automation of the FCC's review process for access applications, and (4) improved coordination between the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to speed the review of such applications.

What's happening now July 26, 2023

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

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1