House Commerce Heads File Bills to Revamp FCC Satellite Licensing Rules
FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington hailed House Commerce Committee leaders Friday for formally filing the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act (HR-9463). The measure, which House Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and ranking member Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., circulated in draft form…
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in February (see 2202110064), aims to revamp the FCC's low-earth orbit satellite licensing rules by requiring the commission to issue “specific performance requirements” for satellite licensees to meet on space safety and orbital debris. “Congress has recognized that we must act quickly to secure America’s role as the home to the most innovative new companies in the emerging launch and satellite sectors,” Simington said: “We must therefore ensure that we do not delay U.S. leadership by allowing providers of these invaluable services to get bogged down in the regulatory process. This legislation gives government the keys to ensuring that we continue to lead the world in robust connectivity and in the deployment of new technologies.” Pallone and Rodgers filed HR-9463 and a second bill, the Secure Space Act (HR-9464), Thursday. SSA would bar the FCC from granting satellite licenses to any entity the FCC deems a national security risk under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act. “America is leading the way in next-generation satellite technologies, which are contributing to a revolution in the communications marketplace,” the lawmakers said: “To make sure the U.S. -- not China -- continues to lead this global industry, we must streamline our regulatory processes to unleash innovation while also ensuring our laws fully protect the American public. We continue to encourage all interested parties to engage with us as we work to usher in a new era of investment and innovation in this critical sector.”