Summary:
Consumer Choice in Online Video Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate regulations requiring Internet service providers (ISPs) to provide plain language disclosures to assist consumers in making informed decisions about the purchase of Internet service, including: (1) network management practices that limit service speeds or prioritize content, (2) usage-based billing terms, and (3) information regarding different tiers of service.

Directs ISPs offering usage-based billing to establish an appeals process for consumers to challenge an ISP's determination of a consumer's data usage.

Requires the FCC to extend its truth-in-billing rules to ISPs.

Prohibits ISPs, multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs), online video distributors (OVDs), and video programming vendors (VPVs), in various circumstances and in their relationships with one another, from engaging in unfair methods of competition, or unfair or deceptive acts or practices, that hinder significantly or prevent an OVD from providing video programming to consumers.

Prohibits MVPDs or OVDs from entering agreements (for periods longer than 30 days) that limit or prohibit a VPV from making its video content available to consumers for free over the Internet.

Permits VPVs to establish different prices, terms, and conditions that: (1) relate to substantial, real, and legitimate business concerns; and (2) are not used in an anticompetitive manner.

Prohibits broadcast television licensees or television networks from: (1) refusing to negotiate with OVDs for the carriage of television content, or (2) restricting an OVD's ability to make such content available to subscribers on any platform or device.

Prohibits broadcast television licensees from providing an over-the-air signal that differs from a retransmission of that signal provided to a MVPD or an OVD, subject to exceptions for certain commercial advertisements embedded in such signal when the variation is not used to increase overall advertising time.

Permits antenna rental services to rent to a consumer access to an individual antenna to view over-the-air broadcast television signals transmitted directly to: (1) the consumer over the Internet or another IP-based transmission path; or (2) an individual data storage system, including an online remote system, for recording and then made accessible to that consumer through an IP-based path. Exempts such antenna rental services from certain retransmission consent fees.

Prohibits a VPV that has made its video programming available to consumers online from restricting access for a subscriber of an MVPD or its affiliate, or an OVD or its affiliate, during the time when such vendor is involved in a dispute with such distributor. Provides exceptions from such prohibition when a vendor requires a consumer to purchase access through a contract with a distributor.

Authorizes an aggrieved consumer, distributor, or affiliate to bring a civil action for an injunction to prevent or restrain such restricted access.

Permits OVDs that provide programming in a manner reasonably equivalent to MVPDs (based on subscriber experience, not underlying technology, and which may include services that record programming to watch at another time) to elect to be treated as non-facilities based MVPDs (NFB-MVPDs) in order to operate under a special category of modified communications laws and FCC regulations.

Directs the FCC to prohibit practices and arrangements, including exclusive video programming contracts, that prevent an NFB-MVPD from obtaining programming from any VPV.

Requires local commercial television broadcast stations, at the request of an NFB-MVPD serving a designated market area, to negotiate for carriage of their content over that distributor's system. Allows NFB-MVPDs to also deliver a non-local (out-of-market) commercial broadcast television station.

Deems a signal of such a non-local commercial broadcast television station delivered by an NFB-MVPD to be significantly viewed under FCC regulations, thereby enabling NFP-MVPDs to carry such non-local stations without incurring distant signal copyright fees. Exempts such signals from specified non-duplication, program exclusivity, and sports blackout rules.

Provides for an NFB-MVPD subscriber to: (1) receive programming from up to two commercial television stations that are affiliates of the same television network, provided that not more than one of the affiliates is located in a designated market area where the subscriber does not reside; and (2) view any subscribed commercial television station signals at any time and on any device, including a mobile device, that an NFB-MVPD has made capable of delivering the distributor's service.

Prohibits NFB-MVPDs from being required to carry the signal of a local commercial television station as a condition for carrying and delivering a non-local commercial broadcast television signal.

Requires NFB-MVPDs to reserve a portion of their channel capacity exclusively for educational or informational programming.

Provides for an NFB-MVPD carrying a broadcast television station signal to be considered a cable system under copyright laws addressing secondary transmissions, thereby authorizing such NFB-MVPDs to retransmit copyrighted works subject to compulsory licensing requirements and the payment of royalty fees.

online video act amends communications act direct federal_communications_commission fcc promulgate regulations requiring internet service providers provide plain language disclosures assist consumers making informed decisions purchase internet service including network management practices limit service prioritize content usage based billing terms information different tiers service directs offering usage based billing establish appeals process consumers challenge determination consumer data usage requires fcc extend truth billing rules prohibits multichannel video programming distributors mvpds online video distributors video programming vendors circumstances relationships engaging unfair methods competition unfair deceptive acts practices hinder significantly prevent providing video programming consumers entering agreements periods longer days limit prohibit making video content available consumers free internet permits establish different prices terms conditions relate substantial real legitimate business concerns anticompetitive manner prohibits broadcast television licensees television networks refusing negotiate carriage television content restricting ability content available subscribers platform device prohibits broadcast television licensees providing air signal differs retransmission signal provided mvpd subject exceptions certain commercial advertisements embedded signal variation increase overall advertising time permits antenna rental services rent consumer access individual antenna view air broadcast television signals transmitted directly consumer internet based transmission path individual data storage system including online remote system recording accessible consumer based path exempts antenna rental services certain retransmission consent fees prohibits video programming available consumers online restricting access subscriber mvpd affiliate affiliate time vendor involved dispute distributor provides exceptions prohibition vendor requires consumer purchase access contract distributor authorizes aggrieved consumer distributor affiliate bring civil action injunction prevent restrain restricted access permits provide programming manner reasonably equivalent mvpds based subscriber experience underlying technology include services record programming watch time elect treated non facilities based mvpds order operate special category modified communications laws fcc regulations directs fcc prohibit practices arrangements including exclusive video programming contracts prevent mvpd obtaining programming requires local commercial television broadcast stations request mvpd serving designated market area negotiate carriage content distributor system allows deliver non local market commercial broadcast television station deems signal non local commercial broadcast television station delivered mvpd significantly viewed fcc regulations enabling mvpds carry non local stations incurring distant signal copyright fees exempts signals specified non duplication program exclusivity sports blackout rules provides mvpd subscriber receive programming commercial television stations affiliates television network provided affiliates located designated market area subscriber reside view commercial television station signals time device including mobile device capable delivering distributor service prohibits mvpds required carry signal local commercial television station condition carrying delivering non local commercial broadcast television signal requires reserve portion channel capacity exclusively educational informational programming provides mvpd carrying broadcast television station signal considered cable system copyright laws addressing secondary transmissions authorizing mvpds retransmit copyrighted works subject compulsory licensing requirements payment royalty fees


Summary:
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require certain cable system operators, with channel capacity for public, educational, or governmental (PEG) use that is designated by a franchising authority under existing code provisions or required to be provided under this Act, to: (1) carry PEG-use signals to subscribers without material degradation and without altering or removing content or data; (2) provide viewable signals to every cable subscriber without additional service or equipment charges; and (3) provide to the appropriate local government subdivision (LGS), free of charge, any transmission services and the use of any transmission facilities necessary to meet such requirements.

Requires a cable operator in a state adopting applicable franchising legislation that becomes effective after May 31, 2005, to: (1) owe any LGS in which the operator provides cable service during a year beginning after enactment of this Act an LGS-determined amount for such year, within specified limits, notwithstanding requirements relating to support for cable system PEG use in such state legislation; and (2) provide a certain number of channels for PEG use in an LGS, notwithstanding requirements relating to the number of PEG-use cable channels in such state legislation.

Defines "local government subdivision" (referred to above as an LGS) as a franchising authority deriving its power to grant a franchise from state or local law or an entity considered such a franchising authority as of the day before the effective date of such state legislation relating to support.

Specifies forms of support as cash payments, in-kind support, and free services provided by the cable system operator, or its predecessor, to the LGS for the cable system's PEG use.

Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) LGS or state enforcement, and (2) nonbinding mediation and court proceedings concerning disputed support amounts.

Revises the definition of "franchise fee" including by striking a provision prohibiting such a fee from including (in the case of a franchise granted after the enactment of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984) capital costs that the franchise requires the cable operator to incur for PEG access facilities.

amends communications act require certain cable system operators channel capacity public educational governmental use designated franchising authority existing code provisions required provided act carry use signals subscribers material degradation altering removing content data provide viewable signals cable subscriber additional service equipment charges provide appropriate local government subdivision free charge transmission services use transmission facilities necessary meet requirements requires cable operator state adopting applicable franchising legislation effective owe operator provides cable service year beginning enactment act determined year specified limits notwithstanding requirements relating support cable system use state legislation provide certain number channels use notwithstanding requirements relating number use cable channels state legislation defines local government subdivision referred franchising authority deriving power grant franchise state local law entity considered franchising authority day effective date state legislation relating support specifies forms support cash payments kind support free services provided cable system operator predecessor cable system use sets forth provisions state enforcement nonbinding mediation court proceedings concerning disputed support amounts revises definition franchise fee including striking provision prohibiting fee including case franchise granted enactment capital costs franchise requires cable operator incur access facilities


Summary: Commercial Flight Courtesy Act - Prohibits an individual, with specified exceptions, from engaging in voice communications through a mobile communication device while onboard a domestic passenger aircraft.

commercial flight act prohibits individual specified exceptions engaging voice communications mobile communication device onboard domestic passenger aircraft


Summary: Colorado News, Emergency, Weather, and Sports Act of 2014 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 and federal copyright law to allow cable operators or satellite carriers to offer certain Colorado-based television broadcast stations to eligible Colorado counties located in a New Mexico-based designated market area if the counties meet specified criteria according to U.S. television household estimates by Nielsen Media Research.

emergency weather sports act amends communications act federal copyright law allow cable operators satellite carriers offer certain colorado based television broadcast stations eligible colorado counties located new_mexico based designated market area counties meet specified criteria according television household estimates


Summary:
Satellite Television Access Reauthorization Act of 2014 - Amends federal copyright law, as amended by the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act of 2010 (STELA), to extend until December 31, 2019, the statutory license under which satellite carriers retransmit distant television broadcast stations to viewers who are unable to receive signals for such stations in their local market. (Currently, the statutory licensing authority for such satellite retransmissions is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2014.)

Expands the local service area for cable retransmissions of low power television stations.

amends federal copyright law amended localism act stela extend december statutory license satellite carriers retransmit distant television broadcast stations unable receive signals stations local market currently statutory licensing authority satellite retransmissions scheduled expire december expands local service area cable retransmissions low power television stations


Summary:
Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to submit to Congress a report containing an analysis of: (1) the extent to which consumers in each local market have access to broadcast programming from television broadcast stations located outside their local market; (2) whether there are alternatives to the use of designated market areas to define markets that would provide consumers with more local programming options; and (3) the potential impact that such alternatives could have on localism and on broadcast television locally, regionally, and nationally.

Requires such report to include recommendations on how to foster increased localism in states served by out-of-state designated market areas.

directs federal_communications_commission fcc submit congress report containing analysis extent consumers local market access broadcast programming television broadcast stations located outside local market alternatives use designated market areas define markets provide consumers local programming options potential impact alternatives localism broadcast television locally regionally nationally requires report include recommendations foster increased localism states served state designated market areas


Summary:
Satellite Television Access and Viewer Rights Act - Title I: Satellite Television - (Sec. 101) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend until December 31, 2019, the exemption from retransmission consent requirements (which prohibit cable systems or other multichannel video programming distributors [MVPDs] from retransmitting broadcasting station signals without the authority of the originating station) for satellite retransmissions of network station signals to subscribers located outside of a station's local market who reside in unserved households (commonly referred to as "distant signals"). Extends until January 1, 2020: (1) the prohibition on exclusive retransmission consent contracts, and (2) the requirement that television broadcast stations and MVPDs negotiate in good faith.

(Sec. 102) Limits the definition of "local market," in the case of both commercial and noncommercial television broadcast stations, to the designated market area in which a television broadcast station is located, including with respect to a commercial television broadcast station any modifications made by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under procedures set forth in this Act to add communities to or exclude communities from a station's local market following a written request. (Currently, the definition incorporates federal copyright laws that expand the definition of a local market to include all commercial television broadcast stations licensed to a community within the same designated market area, stations licensed to a community within the same designated market area as a noncommercial educational television broadcast station, and the county in which the station's community of license is located.)

Requires designated market areas, for purposes of determining a satellite carrier's obligations to carry local television signals, to be determined by Nielsen Media Research.

Allows the FCC, following a written request with respect to a particular commercial television broadcast station, to add communities to or exclude communities from a station's local market. Directs the FCC, in considering such requests, to afford particular attention to the value of localism by taking into account factors including: (1) whether the station has been carried historically within such community; (2) whether the station provides coverage or other local service to such community; (3) whether modifying the local market of the television station would promote consumers' access to television broadcast station signals that originate in their state of residence; (4) whether any other television station that is eligible to be carried by a satellite carrier in such community covers news, sporting, and other events of interest to the community; and (5) viewing patterns in households that subscribe and do not subscribe to MVPD services.

Permits the FCC to determine that communities are part of more than one local market.

Prohibits the FCC's market determinations from creating additional carriage obligations that are not technically and economically feasible for a satellite carrier by means of its satellites in operation at the time of the determination.

Prohibits a satellite carrier from deleting from carriage the signal of a commercial television broadcast station during the pendency of any such proceeding.

Requires the FCC's website to explain the market modification process, including information regarding: (1) who may petition to include communities within, or exclude communities from, a local market or television market; and (2) the factors the FCC takes into account.

Title II: Video Policy Reforms - (Sec. 201) Directs the FCC to commence a rulemaking proceeding to revise regulations governing the exercise by television broadcast stations of the right to grant retransmission consent. Requires such revised regulations to prohibit television broadcast stations, unless such stations are under common de jure control permitted by the FCC, from: (1) coordinating negotiations or negotiating on a joint basis with another television broadcast station in the same local market to grant retransmission consent to an MVPD, and (2) limiting the ability of an MVPD to carry a television signal that has been deemed significantly viewed (or any other television broadcast signal such distributor is authorized to carry under current laws governing the carriage of local, distant, or significantly viewed television signals by satellite carriers or the carriage of local commercial television signals by cable operators) into the local market of such station.

Directs the FCC to review and update its totality of the circumstances test for good faith negotiations to ensure that the test encourages parties to a retransmission consent negotiation to present bona fide proposals and engage in timely negotiations.

(Sec. 202) Requires the FCC's annual report on cable rates to include the aggregate average total amount that cable systems pay for retransmission consent.

(Sec. 203) Terminates on the date that is two years after this Act's enactment the FCC's set-top box integration ban that prohibits MVPDs from placing in service new navigation devices that perform both conditional access and other functions in a single integrated device. Directs the FCC to convene a working group to identify and recommend standards for a not unduly burdensome, uniform, technology-neutral, software-based, downloadable security system that promotes the competitive availability of such devices.

(Sec. 204) Requires the FCC to establish a streamlined process for the filing of effective competition petitions (if the FCC finds that a cable system is subject to effective competition, the rates for the provision of cable service by such system are not subject to regulation by the FCC, states, or franchising authorities) by small cable operators, particularly those that serve primarily rural areas. Prohibits this Act from being construed to have any effect on the duty of a small cable operator to prove the existence of effective competition.

(Sec. 205) Requires the FCC to submit to Congress: (1) an analysis of consumers' access to broadcast programming from television broadcast stations located outside their local market, (2) alternatives to designated market areas to provide consumers with more local programming options, and (3) recommendations to increase localism in counties served by out-of-state designated market areas.

Title III: Miscellaneous - Directs the FCC to prescribe regulations to implement this Act. Provides that if any provision of this Act is held to be unconstitutional, the other provisions shall not be affected.

satellite television sec amends communications act extend december exemption retransmission consent requirements prohibit cable systems multichannel video programming distributors mvpds retransmitting broadcasting station signals authority originating station satellite retransmissions network station signals subscribers located outside station local market reside unserved households commonly referred distant signals extends january prohibition exclusive retransmission consent contracts requirement television broadcast stations mvpds negotiate good faith sec limits definition local market case commercial noncommercial television broadcast stations designated market area television broadcast station located including respect commercial television broadcast station modifications federal_communications_commission fcc procedures set forth act add communities exclude communities station local market following written request currently definition incorporates federal copyright laws expand definition local market include commercial television broadcast stations licensed community designated market area stations licensed community designated market area noncommercial educational television broadcast station county station community license located requires designated market areas purposes determining satellite carrier obligations carry local television signals determined allows fcc following written request respect particular commercial television broadcast station add communities exclude communities station local market directs fcc considering requests afford particular attention value localism taking account factors including station carried historically community station provides coverage local service community modifying local market television station promote consumers access television broadcast station signals originate state residence television station eligible carried satellite carrier community covers news sporting events interest community viewing patterns households subscribe subscribe mvpd services permits fcc determine communities local market prohibits fcc market determinations creating additional carriage obligations technically economically feasible satellite carrier means satellites operation time determination prohibits satellite carrier deleting carriage signal commercial television broadcast station pendency proceeding requires fcc website explain market modification process including information petition include communities exclude communities local market television market factors fcc takes account title video sec directs fcc commence rulemaking proceeding revise regulations governing exercise television broadcast stations right grant retransmission consent requires revised regulations prohibit television broadcast stations stations common jure control permitted fcc coordinating negotiations negotiating joint basis television broadcast station local market grant retransmission consent mvpd limiting ability mvpd carry television signal deemed significantly viewed television broadcast signal distributor authorized carry current laws governing carriage local distant significantly viewed television signals satellite carriers carriage local commercial television signals cable operators local market station directs fcc review update totality circumstances test good faith negotiations ensure test encourages parties retransmission consent negotiation present bona fide proposals engage timely negotiations sec requires fcc annual report cable rates include aggregate average total cable systems pay retransmission consent sec terminates date years act enactment fcc set box integration ban prohibits mvpds placing service new navigation devices perform conditional access functions single integrated device directs fcc convene working group identify recommend standards unduly burdensome uniform technology neutral software based downloadable security system promotes competitive availability devices sec requires fcc establish streamlined process filing effective competition petitions fcc finds cable system subject effective competition rates provision cable service system subject regulation fcc states franchising authorities small cable operators particularly serve primarily rural areas prohibits act construed effect duty small cable operator prove existence effective competition sec requires fcc submit congress analysis consumers access broadcast programming television broadcast stations located outside local market alternatives designated market areas provide consumers local programming options recommendations increase localism counties served state designated market areas title iii miscellaneous directs fcc prescribe regulations implement act provides provision act held unconstitutional provisions shall affected


Summary:
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to exclude from the definition of "common carrier" (regulated by the Federal Communications Commission [FCC] under the common carrier regulatory authority provided under title II of such Act) a provider of an information service or of advanced telecommunications capability when engaged in the provision of such service or capability.

Classifies broadband Internet access service as an "information service" under such Act (regulated by the FCC under title I of such Act using what is commonly referred to as a general "ancillary jurisdiction" to regulate only as may be necessary in the execution of its statutory functions).

Defines "broadband Internet access service" as a mass-market retail service by wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to, and receive data from, all or substantially all Internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are incidental to, and enable the operation of, the communications service, but excluding dial-up Internet access service. Provides for such definition to include a service utilizing advanced telecommunications capability under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

Prohibits a provider of an information service from being: (1) treated as a telecommunications carrier when engaged in the provision of an information service, or (2) required to offer such service or any component of such service as a telecommunications service.

Excludes from the definition of: (1) "telecommunications carrier" (treated as a common carrier only to the extent that it is engaged in providing telecommunications services, except that the FCC determines whether the provision of fixed and mobile satellite service is treated as common carriage) a provider of an information service or of advanced telecommunications capability; and (2) "telecommunications service" any service that is an information service, any component of an information service, or advanced telecommunications capability.

amends communications act exclude definition common carrier regulated federal_communications_commission fcc common carrier regulatory authority provided title act provider information service advanced telecommunications capability engaged provision service capability classifies broadband internet access service information service act regulated fcc title act commonly referred general ancillary jurisdiction regulate necessary execution statutory functions defines broadband internet access service mass market retail service wire radio provides capability transmit data receive data substantially internet endpoints including capabilities incidental enable operation communications service excluding internet access service provides definition include service utilizing advanced telecommunications capability telecommunications act prohibits provider information service treated telecommunications carrier engaged provision information service required offer service component service telecommunications service excludes definition telecommunications carrier treated common carrier extent engaged providing telecommunications services fcc determines provision fixed mobile satellite service treated common carriage provider information service advanced telecommunications capability telecommunications service service information service component information service advanced telecommunications capability


Summary:
States' Rights Municipal Broadband Act of 2015

Amends the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to declare that the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) authority to take actions to accelerate deployment of advanced telecommunications capabilities shall not be construed to authorize the FCC to prevent states from implementing state laws regarding the provision of broadband Internet access service by states, municipalities, or political subdivisions.

states rights municipal broadband act amends telecommunications act declare federal_communications_commission fcc authority actions accelerate deployment advanced telecommunications capabilities shall construed authorize fcc prevent states implementing state laws provision broadband internet access service states municipalities political subdivisions


Summary:
Internet Freedom Act

 Nullifies the rule adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on February 26, 2015, relating to the reclassification of broadband Internet access service as a telecommunications service.

Prohibits the FCC from reissuing such rule in substantially the same form, or from issuing a new rule that is substantially the same, unless the rule is specifically authorized by a law enacted after enactment of this Act.

Exempts any rule that the FCC determines is necessary for national security, public safety, or assistance to law enforcement.

internet freedom act nullifies rule adopted federal_communications_commission fcc february relating reclassification broadband internet access service telecommunications service prohibits fcc rule substantially form issuing new rule substantially rule specifically authorized law enacted enactment act exempts rule fcc determines necessary national security public safety assistance law enforcement


Summary:
Freedom from Internet Tax Act

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to exempt providers of broadband Internet access service (as defined in rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission on February 26, 2015) from requirements to make contributions to the federal universal service fund.

freedom internet tax act amends communications act exempt providers broadband internet access service defined rules adopted federal_communications_commission february requirements contributions federal universal service fund


Summary:
Protecting the Rights of Musicians Act

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to deny a television broadcast station the right to consent to retransmissions of the station's signal by cable systems or other multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) if the licensee of such station is also the licensee of an AM or FM radio broadcast station that has transmitted a sound recording over such radio station without providing compensation for all programming carried over the signal. (Under current law, retransmission consent requirements prohibit cable systems or other MVPDs from retransmitting the signal of a television broadcasting station without the station's consent, which is generally obtained through a retransmission consent agreement under which the cable system or MVPD provides a negotiated payment or other consideration to the station in exchange for retransmission authority.)

Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission from requiring mobile devices (with computing and communications functionality) to be equipped with a tuner for receiving the signals of AM or FM radio broadcast stations.

protecting rights musicians act amends communications act deny television broadcast station right consent retransmissions station signal cable systems multichannel video programming distributors mvpds licensee station licensee radio broadcast station transmitted sound recording radio station providing compensation programming carried signal current law retransmission consent requirements prohibit cable systems mvpds retransmitting signal television broadcasting station station consent generally obtained retransmission consent agreement cable system mvpd provides negotiated payment consideration station exchange retransmission authority prohibits federal_communications_commission requiring mobile devices computing communications functionality equipped receiving signals radio broadcast stations


Summary:
Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require intermediate providers that offer the capability to transmit voice communications and signaling information from one destination to another, and that charge a rate to any other entity (including an affiliated entity) for such a transmission, to: (1) register with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and (2) comply with service quality standards to be established by the FCC.

An "intermediate provider" is an entity that: (1) enters a business arrangement with a long-distance voice service provider that makes the initial call path choice for more than 100,000 domestic retail subscriber lines, or with another intermediate provider, to carry, route, or transmit voice traffic from a call placed from or to an end user connection using a North American Numbering Plan resource; and (2) does not itself (directly or in conjunction with an affiliate) serve as such a long-distance initial call path choice provider in the context of originating or terminating a given call.

The bill prohibits such long-distance providers (including local exchange carriers, interexchange carriers, commercial mobile radio services, interconnected voice over Internet Protocol [VoIP] services, and certain non-interconnected VoIP services) from using an intermediate provider to transmit voice communications and signals unless the intermediate provider is so registered.

The FCC must: (1) ensure the integrity of the transmission of voice communications to all customers in the United States, (2) prevent unjust or unreasonable discrimination among areas of the United States in the delivery of such voice communications, and (3) make a registry of intermediate providers publicly available on the FCC website.

The bill shall not be construed to preempt or expand the authority of a state agency or public utility commission to collect data, or enforce state law and regulations, regarding the completion of intrastate voice communications.

Certain long-distance providers that make initial call path choices are exempt from service quality standards that the FCC is required to establish under this bill if they certify under a safe harbor provision in existing FCC rules that they monitor the performance of, or do not use, intermediate providers.

improving rural quality reliability act sec bill amends communications act require intermediate providers offer capability transmit voice communications signaling information destination charge rate entity including affiliated entity transmission register federal_communications_commission fcc comply service quality standards established fcc intermediate provider entity enters business arrangement long distance voice service provider makes initial path choice domestic retail subscriber lines intermediate provider carry route transmit voice traffic placed end user connection north american numbering plan resource directly conjunction affiliate serve long distance initial path choice provider context originating terminating given bill prohibits long distance providers including local exchange carriers interexchange carriers commercial mobile radio services interconnected voice internet protocol voip services certain non interconnected voip services intermediate provider transmit voice communications signals intermediate provider registered fcc ensure integrity transmission voice communications customers united_states prevent unjust unreasonable discrimination areas united_states delivery voice communications registry intermediate providers publicly available fcc website bill shall construed preempt expand authority state agency public utility commission collect data enforce state law regulations completion intrastate voice communications certain long distance providers initial path choices exempt service quality standards fcc required establish bill certify safe harbor provision existing fcc rules monitor performance use intermediate providers


Summary:
Granting Our People the Ability to Cheer Kickoff Act of 2015 or the GO PACK Act of 2015

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a cable operator or satellite carrier to provide to certain subscribers in specified Wisconsin counties who elect to receive a television network: (1) retransmission of the signal of any local network station that such operator or carrier is otherwise required to retransmit; (2) an in-state, adjacent-market network station retransmission; or (3) both such retransmissions. Subjects satellite carriers to such requirements only to the extent that such retransmissions are technically feasible.

Defines "in-state, adjacent-market network station retransmission" as the secondary transmission by a cable operator or satellite carrier of the primary transmission of any network station whose community of license is located: (1) in a subscriber's state, and (2) in a local market that is adjacent to the subscriber's local market.

Provides for this Act to apply, with respect to such an in-state, adjacent-market network station retransmission to a subscriber, to specified Wisconsin counties (Barron, Burnett, Dunn, Pierce, Polk, St. Croix, and Washburn) that are not in the local market of any television broadcast station that is affiliated with the same network and whose community of license is located in the subscriber's state.

Exempts in-state, adjacent-market network station retransmissions in such counties from: (1) retransmission consent requirements that prohibit cable operators from retransmitting broadcast stations without the authority of the originating station, and (2) statutory licensing limitations under federal copyright laws concerning satellite retransmissions to unserved households and secondary transmissions of distant signals.

granting people ability act pack act amends communications act require cable operator satellite carrier provide certain subscribers specified wisconsin counties elect receive television network retransmission signal local network station operator carrier required retransmit state adjacent market network station retransmission retransmissions subjects satellite carriers requirements extent retransmissions technically feasible defines state adjacent market network station retransmission secondary transmission cable operator satellite carrier primary transmission network station community license located subscriber state local market adjacent subscriber local market provides act apply respect state adjacent market network station retransmission subscriber specified wisconsin counties polk local market television broadcast station affiliated network community license located subscriber state exempts state adjacent market network station retransmissions counties retransmission consent requirements prohibit cable operators retransmitting broadcast stations authority originating station statutory licensing limitations federal copyright laws concerning satellite retransmissions unserved households secondary transmissions distant signals


Summary:
Fairness in Political Advertising Act of 2016

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require television broadcasting station licensees and cable operators to make available annually free broadcast or cable time for political advertising. For political candidates in a statewide or national election whose parties received more than 2% of total votes in the most recent statewide or national election, the bill requires such television broadcast station licensees and cable operators to allot an equal amount (at least two hours) of free broadcast time each even-numbered year to each candidate. The bill also sets forth standards for allotting free broadcast time during the hours of 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., during specific periods before an election, and at comparable times of day and days of the week to candidates for the same office.

Nothing in this bill, and no use of allotted free broadcast time, shall be construed to restrict a candidate's right to purchase other broadcast time.

fairness political advertising act bill amends communications act require television broadcasting station licensees cable operators available annually free broadcast cable time political advertising political candidates statewide national election parties received total votes recent statewide national election bill requires television broadcast station licensees cable operators allot equal hours free broadcast time numbered year candidate bill sets forth standards allotting free broadcast time hours specific periods election comparable times day days week candidates office bill use allotted free broadcast time shall construed restrict candidate right purchase broadcast time


Summary: This bill eliminates the Federal Communications Commission's broadcast/newspaper cross-ownership ban, which prohibits a single entity, or parties under common control, from owning a daily newspaper and a full-power commercial broadcast station (AM, FM, or television) in the same market.

bill eliminates federal_communications_commission broadcast newspaper cross ownership ban prohibits single entity parties common control owning daily newspaper power commercial broadcast station television market


Summary:
Community Broadband Act of 2015

Bars states or local governments from prohibiting or inhibiting states, local government agencies, entities affiliated with state or local agencies, or Indian tribes from providing telecommunications services or advanced telecommunications capabilities to any person or any public or private entity.

Prohibits government providers of public telecommunications services from favoring themselves over competing providers in the application of regulations, ordinances, public rights-of-way, or permitting requirements.

Directs local governments or affiliates intending to provide public telecommunications services to consider public-private partnerships.

Requires local governments or affiliates, before providing telecommunications services to the public, to provide public notice and opportunities for public input and private-sector bidding.

Provides an exemption from the prohibition on local governments favoring themselves in the application of regulations, and from the requirement to provide public notice and private bidding opportunities, during an emergency declared by the President, a governor, or an authorized elected local official.

community broadband act bars states local governments prohibiting states local government agencies entities affiliated state local agencies indian tribes providing telecommunications services advanced telecommunications capabilities person public private entity prohibits government providers public telecommunications services favoring competing providers application regulations ordinances public rights way permitting requirements directs local governments affiliates intending provide public telecommunications services consider public private partnerships requires local governments affiliates providing telecommunications services public provide public notice opportunities public input private sector bidding provides exemption prohibition local governments favoring application regulations requirement provide public notice private bidding opportunities emergency declared president governor authorized elected local official


Summary:
Community Access Preservation Act

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require certain cable system operators, with channel capacity for public, educational, or governmental (PEG) use that is designated by a franchising authority under existing code provisions or required to be provided under this Act, to: (1) carry PEG-use signals to subscribers without material degradation and without altering or removing content or data; (2) provide viewable signals to every cable subscriber without additional service or equipment charges; and (3) provide to the appropriate local government subdivision (LGS), free of charge, any transmission services and the use of any transmission facilities necessary to meet such requirements.

Directs such cable system operators, upon request by the appropriate LGS, to provide for: (1) the transmission of such signals in high definition format or better; and (2) the programming schedules of such signals to be present and updated on the electronic program guide of the cable operator, with the same functionality as television broadcast stations in the applicable designated market area, through the cable operator directly or through a third party vendor.

Requires a cable operator in a state adopting applicable franchising legislation that becomes effective after May 31, 2005, to: (1) owe any LGS in which the operator provides cable service during a year beginning after enactment of this Act an LGS-determined amount for such year, within specified limits, notwithstanding requirements relating to support for cable system PEG use in such state legislation; and (2) provide a certain number of channels for PEG use in an LGS, notwithstanding requirements relating to the number of PEG-use cable channels in such state legislation.

Defines "local government subdivision" (referred to above as an LGS) as a franchising authority deriving its power to grant a franchise from state or local law or an entity considered such a franchising authority as of the day before the effective date of such state legislation relating to support.

Specifies forms of support as cash payments, in-kind support, and free services provided by the cable system operator, or its predecessor, to the LGS for the cable system's PEG use.

Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) LGS or state enforcement, and (2) nonbinding mediation and court proceedings concerning disputed support amounts.

Revises the definition of "franchise fee" including by striking a provision prohibiting such a fee from including (in the case of a franchise granted after the enactment of the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984) capital costs that the franchise requires the cable operator to incur for PEG access facilities.

community access preservation act amends communications act require certain cable system operators channel capacity public educational governmental use designated franchising authority existing code provisions required provided act carry use signals subscribers material degradation altering removing content data provide viewable signals cable subscriber additional service equipment charges provide appropriate local government subdivision free charge transmission services use transmission facilities necessary meet requirements directs cable system operators request appropriate provide transmission signals high definition format better programming schedules signals present updated electronic program guide cable operator functionality television broadcast stations applicable designated market area cable operator directly party vendor requires cable operator state adopting applicable franchising legislation effective owe operator provides cable service year beginning enactment act determined year specified limits notwithstanding requirements relating support cable system use state legislation provide certain number channels use notwithstanding requirements relating number use cable channels state legislation defines local government subdivision referred franchising authority deriving power grant franchise state local law entity considered franchising authority day effective date state legislation relating support specifies forms support cash payments kind support free services provided cable system operator predecessor cable system use sets forth provisions state enforcement nonbinding mediation court proceedings concerning disputed support amounts revises definition franchise fee including striking provision prohibiting fee including case franchise granted enactment capital costs franchise requires cable operator incur access facilities


Summary:
Sunshine in Sponsorship Identification Act

Directs the Federal Communications Commission to update its sponsorship identification rules for commercial and political advertising to: (1) reflect current technologies and practices, (2) ensure that political broadcasts include more detailed disclosures about the identity of the true sponsors, and (3) require more detailed sponsorship identification information to be placed online or in another form more readily accessible to the public.

sunshine sponsorship identification act directs federal_communications_commission update sponsorship identification rules commercial political advertising reflect current technologies practices ensure political broadcasts include detailed disclosures identity true sponsors require detailed sponsorship identification information placed online form readily accessible public


Summary:
Wireless Innovation Act of 2015

Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to require the Secretary of Commerce to report to the President and Congress with recommendations to reallocate a span of at least 200 megahertz of spectrum, located below 5 gigahertz, from federal government use to: (1) commercial use on an exclusive, licensed basis; (2) unlicensed use to protect licensed services from harmful interference; and (3) shared use between federal government stations and nonfederal stations.

Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to begin auctioning specified amounts of such spectrum beginning not later than December 31, 2018, and to continue such auctions at 18-month intervals according to a staggered schedule.

Authorizes the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to use a percentage of the proceeds from the first auction to pay federal entities to: (1) conduct feasibility analyses regarding the potential future reallocation of additional spectrum from federal use to exclusive nonfederal use or shared use; and (2) develop efficiency guidelines to increase the flexibility of federal spectrum-dependent systems through multiple-band tuning capabilities, the use of commercial systems, and public-private partnerships.

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish a presumption under which an application to the FCC for the transfer of a construction permit or station license is deemed to be in the public interest, convenient, and necessary, unless the FCC acts to deny the application, if the application does not: (1) involve a broadcast, common carrier, aeronautical en route, or aeronautical fixed radio station license that is prohibited from being granted to or held by an alien or foreign corporation; (2) require a premerger notification and waiting period under the Clayton Act; and (3) concern a merger, acquisition, or takeover subject to review under the Defense Production Act of 1950.

Requires applications qualifying for such presumption to be granted within 90 days after the FCC issues a public notice of the application.

Directs federal agencies seeking a new or modified frequency assignment for a mobile or other radio service to submit to the Secretary and the OMB a report analyzing whether the federal agency could instead use commercial services, use an existing or already planned federal service, share with another federal agency, use unlicensed spectrum, or lease from commercial providers.

Directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the OMB to incorporate spectrum efficiency guidelines into budget and procurement processes.

Requires the NTIA to develop a framework for determining the annual economic opportunity cost of each specific federal spectrum band allocated for federal entities, with the value determined as if such spectrum were to be reallocated on a licensed basis to the highest commercial alternative use that currently does not have access to that spectrum.

Requires federal entities assigned or allocated use of federal spectrum to: (1) report the opportunity cost of spectrum bands in budgets and annual financial statements; and (2) compare, every five years, the entity's spectrum opportunity cost to the projected costs of relocating, co-locating, leasing, or contracting out for spectrum activities.

Revises federal easement and right-of-way procedures to allow an executive agency, a state, a person, a firm, or an organization to apply for the grant of a real property interest (including a lease, license, easement, or right-of-way) to, in, over, or on a building or other property owned by the federal government for the right to install, construct, modify, and maintain a communications facility installation. Requires the executive agency that owns the building or other property on behalf of the federal government to grant to the applicant, if technically feasible, a real property interest to perform such installation, construction, modification, and maintenance.

Sets forth requirements concerning the fees and terms of years for such real property interests. Provides for the collection of: (1) a standard fee established by the General Services Administration (GSA), or (2) agency-specific fees established by executive agencies. Directs the GSA to consult with designated agencies regarding the master application forms and standard contracts that executive agencies are required to accept for the placement of such facilities, unless the GSA determines that the forms or contracts are not adequate for a specific building or property.

wireless innovation act amends national_telecommunications_and_information_administration_organization_act require secretary commerce report president congress recommendations reallocate span megahertz spectrum located gigahertz federal government use commercial use exclusive licensed basis unlicensed use protect licensed services harmful interference shared use federal government stations nonfederal stations requires federal_communications_commission fcc begin auctioning specified amounts spectrum beginning later december continue auctions month intervals according staggered schedule omb use percentage proceeds auction pay federal entities conduct feasibility analyses potential future reallocation additional spectrum federal use exclusive nonfederal use shared use develop efficiency guidelines increase flexibility federal spectrum dependent systems multiple band capabilities use commercial systems public private partnerships amends communications act establish presumption application fcc transfer construction permit station license deemed public interest convenient necessary fcc acts deny application application involve broadcast common carrier aeronautical route aeronautical fixed radio station license prohibited granted held alien foreign corporation require notification waiting period clayton act concern merger acquisition takeover subject review defense production act requires applications qualifying presumption granted days fcc issues public notice application directs federal agencies seeking new modified frequency assignment mobile radio service submit secretary omb report analyzing federal agency instead use commercial services use existing planned federal service share federal agency use unlicensed spectrum lease commercial providers directs national_telecommunications_and_information_administration ntia omb incorporate spectrum efficiency guidelines budget procurement processes requires ntia develop framework determining annual economic opportunity cost specific federal spectrum band allocated federal entities value determined spectrum reallocated licensed basis highest commercial alternative use currently access spectrum requires federal entities assigned allocated use federal spectrum report opportunity cost spectrum bands budgets annual financial statements compare years entity spectrum opportunity cost projected costs relocating locating leasing contracting spectrum activities revises federal easement right way procedures allow executive agency state person firm organization apply grant real property interest including lease license easement right way building property owned federal government right install construct modify maintain communications facility installation requires executive agency owns building property behalf federal government grant applicant technically feasible real property interest perform installation construction modification maintenance sets forth requirements concerning fees terms years real property interests provides collection standard fee established general_services_administration gsa agency specific fees established executive agencies directs gsa consult designated agencies master application forms standard contracts executive agencies required accept placement facilities gsa determines forms contracts adequate specific building property


Summary:
Promoting Unlicensed Spectrum Act of 2015

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure that spectrum allocation and assignment produces a balance between radio frequency bands available for: (1) exclusive licensing through an auction, and (2) unlicensed operations on a nonexclusive basis without the expectation of protection from interference.

The FCC must consider whether to adopt rules that permit unlicensed operations in spectrum assigned by auction until the licensee brings the spectrum into use by initiating commercial service.

The bill declares that it is the policy of the United States to:

 maximize the utility of the spectrum resources of the United States, advance innovation and investment in wireless broadband services, and promote a balanced spectrum policy that makes adequate spectrum resources available for both licensed and unlicensed technologies. The FCC must consult with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to develop a national strategy for making additional radio frequency bands available for unlicensed operations. The strategy must: (1) identify proposed radio frequency bands to be cleared of incumbent users; (2) ensure that consumers have access to additional low-, mid-, and high-band frequencies for unlicensed operations; and (3) consider rules and other ways to promote spectrum sharing and improve spectrum utilization.

The NTIA, in conjunction with the FCC and the Office of Management and Budget, must submit to Congress a report on the steps necessary to designate additional radio frequency bands used by federal entities for unlicensed operations without causing harmful interference to government operations. The report must consider the impact on homeland security or national security communications and include recommendations to ensure the solvency of the Spectrum Relocation Fund.

promoting unlicensed spectrum act bill requires federal_communications_commission fcc ensure spectrum allocation assignment produces balance radio frequency bands available exclusive licensing auction unlicensed operations nonexclusive basis expectation protection interference fcc consider adopt rules permit unlicensed operations spectrum assigned auction licensee brings spectrum use initiating commercial service bill declares policy united_states maximize utility spectrum resources united_states advance innovation investment wireless broadband services promote balanced spectrum policy makes adequate spectrum resources available licensed unlicensed technologies fcc consult national_telecommunications_and_information_administration ntia develop national strategy making additional radio frequency bands available unlicensed operations strategy identify proposed radio frequency bands cleared incumbent users ensure consumers access additional low- mid- high band frequencies unlicensed operations consider rules ways promote spectrum sharing improve spectrum utilization ntia conjunction fcc office_of_management_and_budget submit congress report steps necessary designate additional radio frequency bands federal entities unlicensed operations causing harmful interference government operations report consider impact homeland security national security communications include recommendations ensure solvency spectrum_relocation_fund


Summary:
Spectrum Challenge Prize Act of 2015

This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to conduct prize competitions to accelerate the development and commercialization of technology that improves spectrum efficiency and is capable of cost-effective deployment.

Not more than $5 million, in the aggregate, may be awarded to prize competition winners.

The Federal Communications Commission must publish a technical paper providing criteria that may be used for the design of such competitions.

spectrum challenge prize act bill requires national_telecommunications_and_information_administration conduct prize competitions accelerate development commercialization technology improves spectrum efficiency capable cost effective deployment million aggregate awarded prize competition federal_communications_commission publish technical paper providing criteria design competitions


Summary:
Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless Act or the MOBILE NOW Act

(Sec. 3) This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), by December 31, 2020, to make available at least 255 megahertz of federal and nonfederal spectrum below the frequency of 6000 megahertz for mobile and fixed wireless broadband use. At least: (1) 100 megahertz shall be made available on an unlicensed basis; and (2) 100 megahertz shall be made available on an exclusive, licensed basis for commercial mobile use, subject to the FCC's regulatory purview, including consideration of continued use of such spectrum by incumbent federal or nonfederal entities in designated geographic areas indefinitely.

In making such spectrum available, the Department of Commerce and the FCC must consider: (1) the need to preserve critical existing and planned federal government capabilities; (2) the impact on existing state, local, and tribal government capabilities; (3) international implications; (4) appropriate enforcement mechanisms and authorities; and (5) the importance of the deployment of wireless broadband services in rural areas.

(Sec. 4) The NTIA must submit to Congress and the FCC an assessment of the feasibility of authorizing mobile or fixed terrestrial wireless operations, including for advanced mobile service operations, on federal entities and operations in specified frequency bands. The FCC must publish a notice of proposed rulemaking within two years after enactment of this bill, or within 90 days after it receives the NTIA's feasibility assessment, whichever is earlier, to consider service rules authorizing such operations.

(Sec. 5) Commerce and the FCC must submit reports evaluating the feasibility of allowing commercial wireless services to share use of specified frequencies between 3100 and 4200 megahertz. If such sharing is feasible, the reports must identify which of the frequencies are most suitable for sharing with commercial wireless services through the assignment of new licenses by competitive bidding, for sharing with unlicensed operations, or through a combination of licensing and unlicensed operations. The FCC must seek public comment regarding these reports.

(Sec. 6) Before 2017, the FCC must take action in its Program Alternatives for Small Wireless Communications Facility Deployments proceeding.

(Sec. 7) The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 is amended to require executive agencies, within 270 days after receiving an application, to grant or deny easements, rights-of-way, or leases to, in, over, or on federal property to install, construct, modify, or maintain a communications facility installation. Executive agencies must: (1) notify applicants of the reasons for denials, and (2) designate an agency point of contact for applicants. The bill expands the categories of infrastructure, antennas, wiring, and wireless transmission equipment for which applicants may seek such easements, rights-of-way, or leases.

The NTIA must coordinate with the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, Defense, and Transportation (DOT), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the General Services Administration to develop recommendations for tracking and expediting such applications.

(Sec. 8) To facilitate installation of broadband infrastructure, DOT must ensure that states receiving federal-aid highway funds: (1) identify a broadband utility coordinator to coordinate the broadband infrastructure right-of-way needs of the state with federal-aid highway projects, (2) register broadband infrastructure entities that seek to be included in those coordination efforts, (3) coordinate statewide telecommunication and broadband plans and state and local transportation and land use plans, (4) provide strategies to minimize repeated excavations, and (5) ensure that any existing broadband infrastructure entities are not disadvantaged.

(Sec. 9) The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) must establish a single database of real property owned, leased, or managed by executive agencies that is capable of supporting a communications facility installation. The OSTP must make the database available to: (1) entities that construct or operate communications facility installations or provide communications service, and (2) state and local governments so that they may provide information regarding state and local properties to include in the database. The OSTP must report to Congress regarding potential ways to incentivize state and local governments to provide such information.

(Sec. 10) After notice and an opportunity for public comment, Commerce must submit recommendations to incentivize federal entities to relinquish, or share with federal or nonfederal users, federal spectrum for commercial wireless broadband services. It must consider whether permitting eligible federal entities to accept payments could expedite access to eligible frequencies.

(Sec. 11) The FCC must collaborate with the NTIA to determine the best means of providing federal entities flexible access to nonfederal spectrum on a shared basis across a range of short-, mid-, and long-range timeframes, including for intermittent purposes like emergency use.

(Sec. 12) After public notice and comment, the FCC must adopt rules that permit unlicensed services to use guard bands designated to protect frequencies allocated by competitive bidding if it would not cause harmful interference.

(Sec. 13) The OMB may provide pre-auction funding to federal agencies for auctions intended to occur within eight years (currently, five years) after the transfer of funds.

(Sec. 14) Federal entities may request an immediate transfer of funds to pay for relocation or sharing costs after the frequencies are reallocated by competitive bidding.

(Sec. 15) The FCC must provide notice and an opportunity for public comment before it submits reports regarding: (1) the results of rule changes relating to the frequencies between 3550 and 3650 megahertz, and (2) proposals to promote and identify additional spectrum bands that can be shared between incumbent uses and new licensed and unlicensed services under such rules and that identify at least 1 gigahertz between 6 and 57 gigahertz for such use.

(Sec. 16) The Government Accountability Office must recommend policies to increase the availability of broadband Internet access using unlicensed spectrum and wireless networks in low-income neighborhoods, particularly for elementary and school-aged children.

(Sec. 17) The FCC must assess whether to establish a program, or modify existing programs, under which a licensee that receives a license for the exclusive use of spectrum in a specific geographic area may partition or disaggregate the license by sale or long-term lease to provide services consistent with the license and make unused spectrum available to: (1) unaffiliated small carriers with not more than 1,500 employees, or (2) other unaffiliated carriers to serve rural areas.

(Sec. 18) The bill declares that it is U.S. policy to: (1) maximize U.S. spectrum resources to benefit U.S. people, (2) advance wireless broadband innovation and investment, and (3) make available on an unlicensed basis radio frequency bands sufficient to meet consumer demand.

The FCC must ensure that its spectrum allocation and assignment efforts make available on an unlicensed basis radio frequency bands sufficient to meet demand for unlicensed wireless broadband operations if doing so is reasonable and in the public interest after taking into account the future needs of other spectrum users.

(Sec. 19) The FCC must develop a national plan for making additional radio frequency bands available for unlicensed operations. The NTIA must recommend reforms to the Spectrum Relocation Fund to address federal entities' sharing costs and expenditures under the plan.

(Sec. 20) The NTIA must conduct prize competitions to accelerate the development and commercialization of technology that improves spectrum efficiency and is capable of cost-effective deployment.

Not more than $5 million, in the aggregate, may be awarded to prize competition winners.

The FCC must publish a technical paper providing criteria that may be used for the design of such competitions.

Wireless Telecommunications Tax and Fee Collection Fairness Act of 2016

(Sec. 21) State and local jurisdictions are prohibited from requiring a person to collect from, or remit on behalf of, any other person a state or local tax, fee, or surcharge imposed on the purchase or use of any wireless telecommunications service within the state unless the collection or remittance is in connection with a financial transaction between: (1) the person that the state or local jurisdiction requires to collect or remit the tax, fee, or surcharge; and (2) the purchaser or user of the wireless telecommunications service. Any person who is aggrieved by a violation of such prohibition may bring a civil action in U.S. district court for equitable relief.

making opportunities obstacles wireless act mobile act sec bill requires national_telecommunications_and_information_administration ntia federal_communications_commission fcc december available megahertz federal nonfederal spectrum frequency megahertz mobile fixed wireless broadband use megahertz shall available unlicensed basis megahertz shall available exclusive licensed basis commercial mobile use subject fcc regulatory purview including consideration continued use spectrum incumbent federal nonfederal entities designated geographic areas indefinitely making spectrum available department_of_commerce fcc consider need preserve critical existing planned federal government capabilities impact existing state local tribal government capabilities international implications appropriate enforcement mechanisms authorities importance deployment wireless broadband services rural areas sec ntia submit congress fcc assessment feasibility authorizing mobile fixed terrestrial wireless operations including advanced mobile service operations federal entities operations specified frequency bands fcc publish notice proposed rulemaking years enactment bill days receives ntia feasibility assessment whichever earlier consider service rules authorizing operations sec commerce fcc submit reports evaluating feasibility allowing commercial wireless services share use specified frequencies megahertz sharing feasible reports identify frequencies suitable sharing commercial wireless services assignment new licenses competitive bidding sharing unlicensed operations combination licensing unlicensed operations fcc seek public comment reports sec fcc action program alternatives small wireless communications facility deployments proceeding sec middle class tax relief job creation act amended require executive agencies days receiving application grant deny easements rights way leases federal property install construct modify maintain communications facility installation executive agencies notify applicants reasons denials designate agency point contact applicants bill expands categories infrastructure wireless transmission equipment applicants seek easements rights way leases ntia coordinate departments interior agriculture defense transportation dot office_of_management_and_budget omb general_services_administration develop recommendations tracking expediting applications sec facilitate installation broadband infrastructure dot ensure states receiving federal aid highway funds identify broadband utility coordinator coordinate broadband infrastructure right way needs state federal aid highway projects register broadband infrastructure entities seek included coordination efforts coordinate statewide telecommunication broadband plans state local transportation land use plans provide strategies minimize repeated ensure existing broadband infrastructure entities disadvantaged sec office_of_science_and_technology_policy ostp establish single database real property owned leased managed executive agencies capable supporting communications facility installation ostp database available entities construct operate communications facility installations provide communications service state local governments provide information state local properties include database ostp report congress potential ways incentivize state local governments provide information sec notice opportunity public comment commerce submit recommendations incentivize federal entities relinquish share federal nonfederal users federal spectrum commercial wireless broadband services consider permitting eligible federal entities accept payments expedite access eligible frequencies sec fcc collaborate ntia determine best means providing federal entities flexible access nonfederal spectrum shared basis range short- mid- long range timeframes including intermittent purposes like emergency use sec public notice comment fcc adopt rules permit unlicensed services use guard bands designated protect frequencies allocated competitive bidding cause harmful interference sec omb provide pre auction funding federal agencies auctions intended occur years currently years transfer funds sec federal entities request immediate transfer funds pay relocation sharing costs frequencies reallocated competitive bidding sec fcc provide notice opportunity public comment submits reports results rule changes relating frequencies megahertz proposals promote identify additional spectrum bands shared incumbent uses new licensed unlicensed services rules identify gigahertz gigahertz use sec government_accountability_office recommend policies increase availability broadband internet access unlicensed spectrum wireless networks low income neighborhoods particularly elementary school aged children sec fcc assess establish program modify existing programs licensee receives license exclusive use spectrum specific geographic area partition disaggregate license sale long term lease provide services consistent license unused spectrum available unaffiliated small carriers employees unaffiliated carriers serve rural areas sec bill declares policy maximize spectrum resources benefit people advance wireless broadband innovation investment available unlicensed basis radio frequency bands sufficient meet consumer demand fcc ensure spectrum allocation assignment efforts available unlicensed basis radio frequency bands sufficient meet demand unlicensed wireless broadband operations reasonable public interest taking account future needs spectrum users sec fcc develop national plan making additional radio frequency bands available unlicensed operations ntia recommend reforms spectrum_relocation_fund address federal entities sharing costs expenditures plan sec ntia conduct prize competitions accelerate development commercialization technology improves spectrum efficiency capable cost effective deployment million aggregate awarded prize competition fcc publish technical paper providing criteria design competitions fee collection fairness act sec state local jurisdictions prohibited requiring person collect remit behalf person state local tax fee surcharge imposed purchase use wireless telecommunications service state collection remittance connection financial transaction person state local jurisdiction requires collect remit tax fee surcharge purchaser user wireless telecommunications service person aggrieved violation prohibition bring civil action district court equitable relief


Summary: Preserve Historic America Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the tax credit for rehabilitation of older and historic buildings by: (1) increasing from 20 to 25% the tax credit rate for certified historic structure rehabilitation expenditures; (2) permitting a building at least 50 years old to qualify for the rehabilitation tax credit (currently, a building must have been placed in service before 1936); (3) permitting qualified rehabilitated buildings to be used for lodging purposes; (4) limiting to 50% the basis reduction for buildings qualifying for the low-income housing and rehabilitation tax credits; (5) allowing an increased rehabilitation tax credit for certain buildings in difficult development areas or which qualify as small rehabilitation projects; (6) exempting tax credits for rehabilitation of certified historic structures from the calculation of the passive activity credit; and (7) permitting the assignment of rehabilitation tax credits.Allows a new tax credit for 20% of the cost of rehabilitating a qualified historic home. Defines "qualified historic home" as a certified historic structure which has been substantially rehabilitated and which is owned by the taxpayer and is or will be used as the taxpayer's principal residence.

preserve historic america act amends internal revenue code modify tax credit rehabilitation older historic buildings increasing tax credit rate certified historic structure rehabilitation expenditures permitting building years old qualify rehabilitation tax credit currently building placed service permitting qualified rehabilitated buildings lodging purposes limiting basis reduction buildings qualifying low income housing rehabilitation tax credits allowing increased rehabilitation tax credit certain buildings difficult development areas qualify small rehabilitation projects exempting tax credits rehabilitation certified historic structures calculation passive activity credit permitting assignment rehabilitation tax credits allows new tax credit cost rehabilitating qualified historic home defines qualified historic home certified historic structure substantially rehabilitated owned taxpayer taxpayer principal residence


Summary: Depository Institution Community Development Investments Enhancement Act - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to revise requirements for community development investments by federal savings associations. Authorizes a federal savings association to make investments, directly or indirectly, each of which is designed primarily to promote the public welfare, including the welfare of low- and moderate-income communities or families through the provision of housing, services, and jobs (community development investments). Permits such investments to be made directly or by purchase of interests in an entity primarily engaged in making such investments. Prohibits a federal savings association from making an investment which would subject it to unlimited liability to any person. Requires the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision to establish: (1) the amount any savings association may invest in any one project; and (2) the aggregate amount of investment of any savings association. Restricts the aggregate amount of investment of any savings association, subject to specified determinations made by the Director. Prohibits the maximum aggregate amount of investments of any savings association from exceeding the same 15% of its capital stock actually paid in and unimpaired and 15% of its unimpaired surplus as imposed by this Act on national banking associations and state member banks.

revise requirements community development investments federal savings associations authorizes federal savings association investments directly indirectly designed primarily promote public welfare including welfare low- moderate income communities families provision housing services jobs community development investments permits investments directly purchase interests entity primarily engaged making investments prohibits federal savings association making investment subject unlimited liability person requires director office_of_thrift_supervision establish savings association invest project aggregate investment savings association restricts aggregate investment savings association subject specified determinations director prohibits maximum aggregate investments savings association exceeding capital stock actually paid unimpaired unimpaired surplus imposed act national banking associations state member banks