Sen. Mark Kirk, D-Ill., offered a debt limit amendment to...

Kirk would direct $13 million of the revenue to the Spectrum Relocation Fund with the purpose of establishing a Federal Spectrum Reallocation Commission. The rest of the incentive auction revenue would go to the U.S. Treasury for deficit reduction. The new commission would have hearings on Commerce Department recommendations for federal spectrum to be reallocated and then make its own recommendations. The commission would be composed of nine members appointed by the president, and private sector representation would be required. The Kirk amendment also limits the FCC from placing conditions and other restrictions on auction licenses. “By creating a Commission similar to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission to keep the Federal government from squatting on the spectrum, the Kirk amendment would provide the telecommunications industry with a certain path forward to reliably clear spectrum for wireless advancements,” he said. “The amendment would ensure that we maximize deficit reduction and retain our global leadership in technological innovation.” The bill “raises interesting possibilities and opportunities to free additional spectrum for commercial mobile use,” said CTIA Vice President Jot Carpenter. NAB is still reviewing the amendment, a spokesman said. A debt amendment earlier this week by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., also authorizes voluntary incentive auctions (CD July 27 p2).