Bill Summary
The "Federal Government Spectrum Inventory Act" mandates the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to produce an annual report on the use of radio frequency spectrum by the federal government. This report, due within 180 days of the act's enactment and then annually, will focus on frequency bands ranging from 225 megahertz to 50 gigahertz.
The report will include a summary of federal spectrum usage, details from the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations, a list of frequency assignments authorized by the NTIA, an overview of major systems using the frequencies, and information about potential future uses. While the report will be publicly available on the NTIA’s website, it will also contain a classified annex for sensitive information. The goal of this legislation is to enhance transparency and management of federal spectrum resources.
Possible Impacts
The "Federal Government Spectrum Inventory Act" can have several implications for individuals and communities. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Transparency**: The annual reports on federal spectrum usage will provide the public with detailed information about how spectrum frequencies are allocated and used by the government. This transparency can empower citizens, researchers, and advocacy groups to better understand and engage in discussions about spectrum management, potentially leading to more informed community decisions regarding telecommunications and technology.
2. **Enhanced Access to Spectrum**: By documenting and analyzing the use of spectrum bands by the federal government, the reports could reveal underutilized frequencies. This information can facilitate efforts to reallocate or auction off these frequencies for commercial use, potentially leading to the expansion of broadband services, improved wireless connectivity, and decreased prices for consumers as competition increases in the market.
3. **Informed Policy Making**: Lawmakers and regulators can use the insights from these reports to craft better policies around spectrum management. For example, if the reports indicate certain frequencies are under-utilized and could be repurposed for civilian use, this could lead to legislative efforts to make more spectrum available for new technologies such as 5G or the Internet of Things (IoT), ultimately benefiting individuals with better services and connectivity options.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2869 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2869
To require the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration to issue an annual report regarding the use of spectrum
by the Federal Government in certain bands of frequencies, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 18 (legislative day, September 16), 2025
Mrs. Blackburn (for herself and Mr. Moran) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration to issue an annual report regarding the use of spectrum
by the Federal Government in certain bands of frequencies, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Government Spectrum
Inventory Act''.
SEC. 2. ANNUAL REPORTS REGARDING FEDERAL SPECTRUM USAGE.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration shall issue a report,
which shall be known as the Federal Government Spectrum Use Report.
(b) Requirements.--Each report issued under subsection (a) shall--
(1) address the bands of frequencies from 225 megahertz to
50 gigahertz (referred to in this subsection as the ``covered
bands'');
(2) include--
(A) an introduction that summarizes the types of
Federal spectrum usage in the covered bands;
(B) an excerpt from the United States Table of
Frequency Allocations, which shall show--
(i) the most recent frequency allocations
in the covered bands within the United States;
and
(ii) each relevant footnote, whether
international or with respect to the United
States, that may authorize additional uses, or
impose limits on certain uses, in the covered
bands;
(C) a table that lists the number and type of
frequency assignments that the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration has
authorized within the covered bands;
(D) a summary of the major systems and applications
using each frequency band or sub-band within the
covered bands; and
(E) a description of future uses within each band
within the covered bands, where applicable; and
(3) be made available on the public website of the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, except that
the report shall contain a classified annex.
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