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Bill115th CongressFiled May 8, 2018Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 5709

Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Jul 23, 2018)

Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to address unlicensed radio broadcasting (called "pirating"), including:

  • increasing the fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violation to not more than $2 million,
  • imposing a fine of up to $100,000 per day for pirating violations subject to the $2 million limit, and
  • establishing a fine of up to $2 million for any person who facilitates pirate radio broadcasting ("facilitating" includes providing access to property or providing physical goods or services).   

The FCC must: (1) annually report to Congress 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 bands, which shall be easily accessible from the FCC home page, identifying each licensed station and all entities that have received a Notice of Unlicensed Operation, Notice of Apparent Liability, or Forfeiture Order by the FCC.

(Sec. 3) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.

What just happenedJul 24, 2018

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

Who’s behind it

Rep. Lance, Leonard [R-NJ-7](R-NJ)Sponsor
14 cosponsors8 D6 R
Read on Congress.gov
14cosponsors2committees18actions7subjects
  1. Jul 24, 2018IntroReferral

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

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  2. Jul 23, 2018FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Jul 23, 2018FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H6597)

  4. Jul 23, 2018Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H6597)

  5. Jul 23, 2018FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5709.

  6. Jul 23, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6597-6598)

  7. Jul 23, 2018FloorH30300

    Mr. Lance moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Jul 18, 2018CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 652.

  9. Jul 18, 2018CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-843.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  10. Jul 18, 2018Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-843.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  11. Jul 12, 2018Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  12. Jul 12, 2018Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  13. Jun 13, 2018Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  14. Jun 13, 2018Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  15. May 11, 2018Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  16. May 8, 2018IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  17. May 8, 2018IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  18. May 8, 2018IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedJul 23, 201836

Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to address unlicensed radio broadcasting (called "pirating"), including:

  • increasing the fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violation to not more than $2 million,
  • imposing a fine of up to $100,000 per day for pirating violations subject to the $2 million limit, and
  • establishing a fine of up to $2 million for any person who facilitates pirate radio broadcasting ("facilitating" includes providing access to property or providing physical goods or services).   

The FCC must: (1) annually report to Congress 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 bands, which shall be easily accessible from the FCC home page, identifying each licensed station and all entities that have received a Notice of Unlicensed Operation, Notice of Apparent Liability, or Forfeiture Order by the FCC.

(Sec. 3) No additional funds are authorized to carry out this bill.

Reported to House with amendment(s)Jul 18, 201817

Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to address unlicensed radio broadcasting (called "pirating"), including:

  • increasing the fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violation to not more than $2 million,
  • imposing a fine of up to $100,000 per day for pirating violations subject to the $2 million limit, and
  • establishing a fine of up to $2 million for any person who facilitates pirate radio broadcasting ("facilitating" includes providing access to property or providing physical goods or services).   

The FCC must: (1) annually report to Congress 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 bands, which shall be easily accessible from the FCC home page, identifying each licensed station and all entities that have received a Notice of Unlicensed Operation, Notice of Apparent Liability, or Forfeiture Order by the FCC.

Introduced in HouseMay 8, 2018

Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to address unlawful radio broadcasting (called "pirating"), including:

  • making the fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violation up to $100,000 per day (Currently, there is a general penalty of up to $10,000 for any wire and radio communications law violation.);
  • establishing a fine of up to $2,000,000 for any person who facilitates pirate radio broadcasting ("facilitating" includes providing access to property or providing physical goods or services); and
  • requiring the Federal Communications Commission to focus on the top five radio markets twice a year to eliminate pirate radio broadcasting.   
Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act — Informed