HOUSE 583116th CongressBecame Public Law No: 116-109.

PIRATE Act

Last Action: 1/24/2020

Actions

2020-01-24Became Public Law No: 116-109.
2020-01-24Became Public Law No: 116-109.
2020-01-24Signed by President.
2020-01-24Signed by President.
2020-01-14Presented to President.
2020-01-14Presented to President.
2020-01-09Message on Senate action sent to the House.
2020-01-08Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S84)
2020-01-08Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S84)
2020-01-08Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
2020-01-08Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.
2019-02-26Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
2019-02-25Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2019-02-25On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2050)
2019-02-25Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2050)

Showing 15 of 20 actions. Full history on Congress.gov.

CRS Summary

As of 2020-01-24 (49)

Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act

This bill addresses unlicensed radio broadcasting (called pirating), including by increasing to $2 million the maximum fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violation and imposing a fine of up to $100,000 per day for pirating violations subject to the $2 million limit.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must (1) annually submit to Congress a report summarizing implementation of this bill and associated enforcement activities for the previous fiscal year; and (2) at least once a year, assign appropriate enforcement personnel to focus specific and sustained attention on the elimination of pirate radio broadcasting within the top five radio markets.

The FCC may not preempt any state or local law prohibiting pirate radio broadcasting.

The FCC shall (1) revise its rules to require that, absent good cause, in any case alleging a violation, it shall proceed directly to issue a Notice of Apparent Liability without first issuing a Notice of Unlicensed Operation; and (2) publish a database of all licensed radio stations operating in the AM and FM band that includes each licensed station and all entities that have received a Notice of Unlicensed Operation, Notice of Apparent Liability, or Forfeiture Order from the FCC.

Cosponsors (9)

Gus Bilirakis (R-FL)
Kathleen Rice (D-NY)
Chris Collins (R-NY)
Sean Maloney (D-NY)
CAROLYN MALONEY (D-NY)
NYDIA VELAZQUEZ (D-NY)
PETER KING (R-NY)
Bill Flores (R-TX)
Susan Brooks (R-IN)

Subjects

Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations

Became law: Pub. L. 116-109

Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.