Legis Daily

Launch Communications Act

USA118th CongressHR-682| House 
| Updated: 7/26/2023
Darren Soto

Darren Soto

Democratic Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (1)
Neal P. Dunn (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

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Timeline
Jan 31, 2023
Introduced in House
Jan 31, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 31, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Mar 8, 2023
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 8, 2023
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 0 .
Mar 23, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
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.
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.
Jul 25, 2023
Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 25, 2023
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3928-3929)
Jul 25, 2023
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 682.
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
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3928)
Jul 25, 2023
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 26, 2023
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sep 26, 2024

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 118-1648
Signed by President.
  • January 31, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • January 31, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • January 31, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.


  • March 8, 2023
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • March 8, 2023
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 0 .


  • March 23, 2023
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • March 24, 2023
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.


  • March 24, 2023
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • July 25, 2023
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 124.


  • July 25, 2023
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-156.


  • July 25, 2023
    Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • July 25, 2023
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3928-3929)


  • July 25, 2023
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 682.


  • July 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)


  • July 25, 2023
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3928)


  • July 25, 2023
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • July 26, 2023
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • September 26, 2024

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 118-1648
    Signed by President.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • S 118-1648: Launch Communications Act
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAviation and airportsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Intergovernmental relationsRadio spectrum allocationSpacecraft and satellitesSpace flight and explorationTelephone and wireless communication

Launch Communications Act

USA118th CongressHR-682| House 
| Updated: 7/26/2023
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jan 31, 2023
Introduced in House
Jan 31, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jan 31, 2023
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Mar 8, 2023
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 8, 2023
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 0 .
Mar 23, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
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.
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.
Jul 25, 2023
Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 25, 2023
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3928-3929)
Jul 25, 2023
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 682.
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
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3928)
Jul 25, 2023
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 26, 2023
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sep 26, 2024

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 118-1648
Signed by President.
  • January 31, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • January 31, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • January 31, 2023
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.


  • March 8, 2023
    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • March 8, 2023
    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 0 .


  • March 23, 2023
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • March 24, 2023
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 46 - 0.


  • March 24, 2023
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • July 25, 2023
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 124.


  • July 25, 2023
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-156.


  • July 25, 2023
    Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • July 25, 2023
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3928-3929)


  • July 25, 2023
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 682.


  • July 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)


  • July 25, 2023
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3928)


  • July 25, 2023
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • July 26, 2023
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • September 26, 2024

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 118-1648
    Signed by President.
Darren Soto

Darren Soto

Democratic Representative

Florida

Cosponsors (1)
Neal P. Dunn (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • S 118-1648: Launch Communications Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAviation and airportsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Intergovernmental relationsRadio spectrum allocationSpacecraft and satellitesSpace flight and explorationTelephone and wireless communication