House Communications Sets May 24 Hearing on FCC Auction Renewal, Other Wireless Issues

The House Communications Subcommittee plans a May 24 hearing on wireless legislation, including the newly filed Extending America’s Spectrum Auction Leadership Act (HR-7783) to renew the FCC’s auction authority for 18 months to March 31, 2024, the House Commerce Committee said Tuesday. The FCC's current auction authority expires Sept. 30. The hearing will discuss "the urgent need to reauthorize the FCC’s spectrum auction authority, as well as requiring mobile service providers to protect survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and other related crimes from abusers with whom they share mobile service contracts,” said House Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and Communications Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa. “We’ll also review bills to strengthen the FCC’s Lifeline program and improve federal spectrum testing and management.” Other bills House Communications will examine are the Ensuring Phone and Internet Access for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recipients Act (HR-4275), the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences Codification Act (HR-4990), the Simplifying Management, Reallocation and Transfer of Spectrum Act (HR-5486) and Safe Connections Act (HR-7132). The hearing will begin at 11 a.m. in 2123 Rayburn.