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Bill116th CongressFiled Apr 29, 2019Science, Technology, Communications
S. 1228

PIRATE Act

Bill journey · stage 1 of 5

Just introduced

Filed
Comm.
Floor
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Law

What it doesSummary passed senate (Jan 8, 2020)

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 Operations; 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.

What just happenedJan 9, 2020

Held at the desk.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT](R-MT)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 D
Read on Congress.gov
1cosponsors1committees11actions1related bills7subjects
  1. Jan 9, 2020FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  2. Jan 9, 2020FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  3. Jan 9, 2020Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Jan 8, 2020Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S81; text: CR S81)

  5. Jan 8, 2020Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S81; text: CR S81)

  6. Dec 17, 2019Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 374.

  7. Dec 17, 2019Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker without amendment. With written report No. 116-178.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  8. Dec 17, 2019Committee14000

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker without amendment. With written report No. 116-178.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  9. May 15, 2019Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  10. Apr 29, 2019IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  11. Apr 29, 2019IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed SenateJan 8, 202055

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 Operations; 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.

Reported to SenateDec 17, 201925

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 Operations; 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.

Introduced in SenateApr 29, 2019

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 Operations; 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.

PIRATE Act — Informed