Breaking News: Congress Cleans Pending Legislation Plate

At press time, the "National Intelligence Reorganization Act (S.2845)," the "ENHANCE 9-1-1 Act of 2004 (HR 5419)" and the "Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act " were passed by the both houses of Congress. They now will head to the White House for President Bush's signature.

Title VII of S.2845 sets the stage for pending digital-TV band-clearing legislation to pass in 2005. The bill includes a commitment by Congress for several provisions regarding studies of public safety spectrum needs and interoperability grant funding.

HR 5419 includes legislation authorizing state grants to upgrade emergency 911 services. The bill authorizes $250 million in grants only to be used for the implementation and operation of phase II enhanced 911 (E9-1-1) services.

The Spectrum Enhancement Act will help ensure that eligible federal entities, particularly the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), operating in the spectrum bands identified for reallocation to non-federal users, are compensated for the costs associated with their relocation. Such compensation will come from spectrum-auction proceeds.

[Copyright 2004 Access Intelligence, LLC. All rights reserved.]

COPYRIGHT 2004 Access Intelligence, LLC.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group