PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

A bill to authorize the enforcement by State and local governments of certain Federal Communications Commission regulations regarding use of citizens band radio equipment.

Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Apr 17, 1997

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow a State or local government to enforce regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that prohibit: (1) a use of citizens band radio equipment not authorized by the FCC; or (2) the unauthorized operation of citizens band radio equipment on a frequency between 24 and 35 megahertz. Provides that possession of a station license issued by the FCC in any radio service for the operation at issue shall preclude action by a State or local government. Requires the FCC to provide technical guidance to State and local governments regarding the detection and determination of violations of such regulations. Permits a person affected to submit to the FCC an appeal of the decision of a State or local government enforcing a regulation on the grounds that such entity acted outside the authority provided in this Act. Provides that: (1) the enforcement of a regulation by a State or local government in a particular case shall not preclude the FCC from enforcing the regulation in that case concurrently; and (2) nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish or otherwise affect FCC jurisdiction over devices capable of interfering with radio communications.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI] · D–WI

Committees

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

  3. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3352-3354)

  4. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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

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