Private Wireless Spectrum Use Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Oct 28, 1999

Private Wireless Spectrum Use Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) identify and allocate at least 12 megahertz of electromagnetic spectrum located between 150 and 2000 megahertz for use by private wireless licensees on a shared-use basis; (2) reserve at least 50 percent of the reallocated spectrum for private wireless systems; and (3) issue an order for such spectrum reallocation and licenses for such spectrum.Requires the FCC to: (1) devise a schedule for payments to the Treasury for shared-use spectrum used by private wireless systems; and (2) adopt a payment schedule determined to be in the public interest.Prohibits competitive bidding requirements from being construed to permit the FCC to take any action to create mutual exclusivity where it does not already exist.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA] · D–LA

Committees

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Gorton, Slade [R-WA]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 28, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Oct 28, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13417)
Oct 28, 1999
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Oct 28, 1999 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1824 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.1824, 106th Congress: Private Wireless Spectrum Use Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1824

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-10-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1824/BILLS-106s1824is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1824 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1824 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1824, 106th Congress: Private Wireless Spectrum Use Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1824

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-10-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1824/BILLS-106s1824is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1824 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1824 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1824, 106th Congress: Private Wireless Spectrum Use Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1824

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-10-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1824/BILLS-106s1824is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1824 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1824 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1824, 106th Congress: Private Wireless Spectrum Use Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/1824

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 1999-10-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s1824/BILLS-106s1824is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:05:39Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1824 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.