Today, H.R. 3674, the Federal Spectrum Incentive Act of 2013, was marked up and passed by voice vote in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This legislation will strengthen the United State's ability to meet its future spectrum demand, by implementing a voluntary federal spectrum incentive auction mechanism, similar to the broadcast incentive auction. The bill is also cosponsored by Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA), Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-CA). It next heads to the House floor for a vote.
"I am pleased that the Energy and Commerce Committee recognized the importance of this bipartisan bill and moved swiftly today to pass the Federal Spectrum Incentive Act out of committee," said Congresswoman Matsui. "The bill provides a smart and sound spectrum policy for the federal government. It offers fresh approach to spectrum management by implementing a revenue sharing opportunity, for the first time, from spectrum auctions for federal agencies. As the single largest spectrum user in the country, the United States government must be more efficient in managing our spectrum. I look forward to continue working in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues and the Administration to bring this bill to the House floor."
H.R. 3674, The Federal Spectrum Incentive Act of 2013, would, for the first time, provide direct financial incentives to encourage government agencies to terminate or share with other federal agencies their existing spectrum assignments in order to free up additional spectrum for commercial and innovation purposes. The bill would extend incentive auction-like authority to the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act as an alternative to the relocation cost recovery provisions of the Spectrum Relocation Trust Fund. This new incentive applies to all federal agencies holding federal spectrum.
Among its provisions, the Federal Spectrum Incentive Act creates a new Federal Spectrum Incentive Auction Fund so participating government agencies can access a portion of the revenue from the auctions of their relinquished spectrum. Among the potential uses, money from the Fund may be used to offset sequestration cuts. It may also be transferred and shared between federal agencies either relinquishing spectrum or be made to accommodate relocating systems.