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Spectrum Innovation Act of 2022

USA117th CongressS-4117| Senate 
| Updated: 4/28/2022
Ben Ray Luján

Ben Ray Luján

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (6)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Roy Blunt (Republican)John Thune (Republican)Brian Schatz (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Spectrum Innovation Act of 2021 This bill specifies a process for auctioning a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between 3100 megahertz (MHz) and 3540 MHz for nonfederal use, shared federal and nonfederal use, or a combination of those uses. Most wireless technologies (e.g., mobile communication) rely on the electromagnetic spectrum to transmit signals. Specifically, the Office of Management and Budget must transfer funding from the Spectrum Reallocation Fund to federal entities for planning related to the reallocation. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Executive Office of the President must oversee the planning. Informed by the planning, the Department of Commerce must identify at least 200 MHz of spectrum for reallocation. In identifying the spectrum, Commerce must consult with the Department of Defense, the Office of National Science and Technology Policy, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC must (1) adopt rules authorizing the use of the identified spectrum in consultation with the NTIA, and (2) auction licenses for the identified spectrum within seven years of the bill's enactment. Additionally, the President must modify or withdraw (subject to certain limits) current federal assignments of the identified spectrum to increase nonfederal use. The FCC must allow for opportunistic uses (i.e., allow devices to opportunistically identify and transmit on unused spectrum without infringing on the rights of the spectrum license holder) of a withdrawn or modified assignment. An allowed opportunistic use must cease after the auction if the use is inconsistent with the rights of the licensee that obtains its license through the auction.
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Timeline
Apr 28, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Apr 28, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 28, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-7624
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • April 28, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 28, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • July 28, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-7624
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 117-7624: Spectrum Innovation Act of 2022
  • HR 117-5378: Spectrum Innovation Act of 2021
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodiesBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightDepartment of CommerceEmergency communications systemsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)First responders and emergency personnelGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsLicensing and registrationsPerformance measurementRadio spectrum allocationState and local government operationsTelecommunication rates and feesTelephone and wireless communication

Spectrum Innovation Act of 2022

USA117th CongressS-4117| Senate 
| Updated: 4/28/2022
Spectrum Innovation Act of 2021 This bill specifies a process for auctioning a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between 3100 megahertz (MHz) and 3540 MHz for nonfederal use, shared federal and nonfederal use, or a combination of those uses. Most wireless technologies (e.g., mobile communication) rely on the electromagnetic spectrum to transmit signals. Specifically, the Office of Management and Budget must transfer funding from the Spectrum Reallocation Fund to federal entities for planning related to the reallocation. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Executive Office of the President must oversee the planning. Informed by the planning, the Department of Commerce must identify at least 200 MHz of spectrum for reallocation. In identifying the spectrum, Commerce must consult with the Department of Defense, the Office of National Science and Technology Policy, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC must (1) adopt rules authorizing the use of the identified spectrum in consultation with the NTIA, and (2) auction licenses for the identified spectrum within seven years of the bill's enactment. Additionally, the President must modify or withdraw (subject to certain limits) current federal assignments of the identified spectrum to increase nonfederal use. The FCC must allow for opportunistic uses (i.e., allow devices to opportunistically identify and transmit on unused spectrum without infringing on the rights of the spectrum license holder) of a withdrawn or modified assignment. An allowed opportunistic use must cease after the auction if the use is inconsistent with the rights of the licensee that obtains its license through the auction.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 28, 2022
Introduced in Senate
Apr 28, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 28, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-7624
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • April 28, 2022
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 28, 2022
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • July 28, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-7624
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Ben Ray Luján

Ben Ray Luján

Democratic Senator

New Mexico

Cosponsors (6)
Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Roy Blunt (Republican)John Thune (Republican)Brian Schatz (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 117-7624: Spectrum Innovation Act of 2022
  • HR 117-5378: Spectrum Innovation Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodiesBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightDepartment of CommerceEmergency communications systemsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)First responders and emergency personnelGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsLicensing and registrationsPerformance measurementRadio spectrum allocationState and local government operationsTelecommunication rates and feesTelephone and wireless communication