House Subcommittee Approves Five Satellite Spectrum Bills

Source: spacepolicyonline.com

A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee unanimously approved five bills yesterday dealing with allocating spectrum for satellite services. One broadly addresses assignment of spectrum for non-government satellites by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), while the others target specific uses like precision agriculture and emergency services.

1. H.R. 1338, the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act
This bill would give the FCC defined the deadlines for processing satellite license applications, as well as a board range of other industry issues including space sustainability and satellite spectrum sharing.

2. H.R. 675, the Secure Space Act
This bill would prohibit the FCC from granting satellite licenses to foreign entities the U.S. deems a threat to national security or domestic supply chains.

3. H.R. 682, Launch Communications Act
This bill would streamline the process for getting spectrum for launch and reentry of commercial space vehicles.

4. H.R. 1339, Precision Agriculture Satellite Connectivity Act
This bill would promote the expanded use of satellites for precision agriculture.

5. H.R. 1353, Advanced, Local Emergency Response Telecommunications Parity Act
This bill would facilitate the use of satellites as providers of connectivity for emergency services in areas hit by natural disasters or otherwise lacking wireless communications.