Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to address unlicensed radio broadcasting (called "pirating"), including: increasing the fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violation to not more than $2 million, imposing a fine of up to $100,000 per day for pirating violations subject to the $2 million limit, and establishing a fine of up to $2 million for any person who facilitates pirate radio broadcasting ("facilitating" includes providing access to property or providing physical goods or services). The FCC must: (1) annually report to Congress summarizing implementation of this bill and associated enforcement activities for the previous fiscal year; and (2) at least once a year, assign appropriate enforcement personnel to focus specific and sustained attention on the elimination of pirate radio broadcasting within the top five radio markets. The FCC may not preempt any state or local law prohibiting pirate radio broadcasting. The FCC shall: (1) revise its rules to require that, absent good cause, in any case alleging a violation, it shall proceed directly to issue a Notice of Apparent Liability without first issuing a Notice of Unlicensed Operations; and (2) publish a database of all licensed radio stations operating in the AM and FM bands, which shall be easily accessible from the FCC home page, identifying each licensed station and all entities that have received a Notice of Unlicensed Operation, Notice of Apparent Liability, or Forfeiture Order by the FCC. (Sec. 3) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 652.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-843.
Mr. Lance moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6597-6598)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5709.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6597)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6597)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 652.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-843.
Mr. Lance moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6597-6598)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5709.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6597)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6597)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Science, Technology, Communications
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Government information and archivesLicensing and registrations
PIRATE Act
USA115th CongressHR-5709| House
| Updated: 7/24/2018
Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to address unlicensed radio broadcasting (called "pirating"), including: increasing the fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violation to not more than $2 million, imposing a fine of up to $100,000 per day for pirating violations subject to the $2 million limit, and establishing a fine of up to $2 million for any person who facilitates pirate radio broadcasting ("facilitating" includes providing access to property or providing physical goods or services). The FCC must: (1) annually report to Congress summarizing implementation of this bill and associated enforcement activities for the previous fiscal year; and (2) at least once a year, assign appropriate enforcement personnel to focus specific and sustained attention on the elimination of pirate radio broadcasting within the top five radio markets. The FCC may not preempt any state or local law prohibiting pirate radio broadcasting. The FCC shall: (1) revise its rules to require that, absent good cause, in any case alleging a violation, it shall proceed directly to issue a Notice of Apparent Liability without first issuing a Notice of Unlicensed Operations; and (2) publish a database of all licensed radio stations operating in the AM and FM bands, which shall be easily accessible from the FCC home page, identifying each licensed station and all entities that have received a Notice of Unlicensed Operation, Notice of Apparent Liability, or Forfeiture Order by the FCC. (Sec. 3) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee
Science, Technology, Communications
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Government information and archivesLicensing and registrations