Spectrum Coordination Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2171
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-02T14:57:56Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Spectrum Coordination Act aims to enhance coordination between federal agencies involved in managing radio frequency spectrum, ensuring more efficient and transparent processes for actions that could affect federal operations. It focuses on improving communication between the Federal Communications Commission (FCC, which regulates non-federal spectrum use) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA, which manages federal spectrum use) to promote the public interest.
Key Provisions
- Federal Coordination Procedures:
- Requires the NTIA Assistant Secretary to publicly file (with redactions for sensitive information) details about each "spectrum action," including notification dates, potentially impacted federal entities, and summaries of any technical, procedural, or policy concerns raised by federal agencies or the NTIA.
- Mandates that the FCC include an "interagency coordination summary" with any final rule on a spectrum action, detailing notifications, raised concerns, and resolutions. This summary must be made public and published in the Federal Register (a government gazette for official notices).
- Protects classified or exempt information from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA, which governs public access to federal records).
- Memorandum Updates:
- Directs the FCC and NTIA to update their 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU, an agreement outlining how the agencies coordinate on spectrum issues) within 3 years of enactment, and every 4 years thereafter.
- Updates must adapt to evolving technology, procedures, and policies as needed.
- Definitions:
- "Memorandum" refers to the 2022 MoU or any successor agreement.
- "Spectrum action" means FCC proposals to reallocate radio frequencies that could lead to auctions (competitive bidding for licenses) or other licensing, potentially affecting federal spectrum users like the military or emergency services.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new Section 106 to Part A of the NTIA Organization Act (which established the NTIA in 1992), introducing formal requirements for public transparency in interagency spectrum coordination—previously handled informally via the MoU.
- Builds on the existing 2022 MoU by mandating regular updates and requiring detailed public records for notifications and resolutions, which were not previously codified in law.
- Does not alter core spectrum allocation authority (split between FCC for commercial use and NTIA for federal use under the Communications Act of 1934) but adds procedural safeguards to prevent disruptions to federal operations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Improves efficiency in spectrum sharing, reducing conflicts between federal users (e.g., defense, aviation) and commercial needs; could streamline approvals for 5G or other technologies but may increase administrative workload for FCC and NTIA.
- On Citizens: Enhances access to reliable wireless services by promoting better spectrum management, potentially leading to faster deployment of broadband and mobile networks without interfering with public safety systems.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though better domestic coordination could strengthen U.S. positions in global spectrum negotiations (e.g., at the International Telecommunication Union), ensuring competitive advantages in wireless technology.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: NTIA, FCC, and spectrum-dependent entities like the Department of Defense, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), and DHS (Department of Homeland Security).
- Telecommunications Industry: Wireless carriers, tech companies (e.g., those bidding in spectrum auctions), and equipment manufacturers benefiting from clearer reallocation processes.
- Public and General Users: Consumers relying on mobile data, internet, and emergency communications, as well as advocacy groups focused on spectrum efficiency.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the FCC's rulemaking process under the Administrative Procedure Act (which requires public notice and comment for regulations) by adding interagency transparency, without overriding FOIA exemptions for sensitive data. Could lead to fewer legal challenges over spectrum reallocations by documenting coordination.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over interstate commerce (including communications) under Article I, Section 8, promoting efficient use of a public resource (the electromagnetic spectrum) without raising First Amendment or due process concerns.
- Political: Encourages bipartisan cooperation on infrastructure (introduced by Republicans and Democrats), potentially reducing partisan gridlock in spectrum policy; may influence future auctions generating billions in revenue for the federal government, supporting deficit reduction or tech investments.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-03-18: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Spectrum Coordination Act — issued 2025-03-18 — PDF (4 pages)