Guthrie, Matsui File Spectrum Auction Deposits Act
Congressional Spectrum Caucus co-Chairmen Reps. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., and Doris Matsui, D-Calif., filed their Spectrum Auction Deposits Act (HR-4109) Wednesday. The bill would require bidders' deposits in future spectrum auctions to be placed with the Treasury Department. The legislation's language…
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would take effect Oct. 1. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said technicalities in the existing deposits process have been preventing the agency from holding additional auctions. The House Communications Subcommittee-cleared draft of the FCC Reauthorization Act also contains language to require auction deposits to go to Treasury (see 1710100066 and 1710110070). Commissioner Mike O'Rielly said in written testimony before a Wednesday oversight hearing that lawmakers should move the deposits fix as a separate bill to give it an easier chance of passing quickly (see 1710240065). CTIA believes HR-4109 “will help bring billions of dollars in auction revenue to the U.S. Treasury while unlocking much needed spectrum,” said Senior Vice President-Government Affairs Kelly Cole.