AIRWAVES Act

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IntroducedPassed one chamberPassed both chambersBecame law (gold)Resolution agreed to (full, dark)Failed or vetoed (gray)

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 115th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

R GardnerSponsor

12 cosponsors · 5 D, 6 R, 1 I

1 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

Advancing Innovation and Reinvigorating Widespread Access to Viable Electromagnetic Spectrum Act or the AIRWAVES Act

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in Senate · Aug 1, 2017

Advancing Innovation and Reinvigorating Widespread Access to Viable Electromagnetic Spectrum Act or the AIRWAVES Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete auctions during each of the next three calendar years that will grant new broadcast licenses for specified frequency spectrum bands.

The FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration are directed to identify frequencies in specified spectrum bands that may be utilized for: (1) non-federal unlicensed use; and (2) commercial licensed use.

The FCC must allocate 10% of proceeds from each of the spectrum band auctions specified in the bill to expand wireless infrastructure in rural areas that are underserved or unserved.

The FCC shall conduct a study on how unlicensed frequency spectrum bands can be utilized for: (1) the provision of healthcare in rural areas, (2) distance learning, and (3) facilitating innovations in agriculture.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: AIRWAVES Act

Also known as: Advancing Innovation and Reinvigorating Widespread Access to Viable Electromagnetic Spectrum Act

Latest action (Aug 1, 2017): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Aug 1, 2017

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.