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Public Law116th CongressScience, Technology, Communications
H.R. 583Became Law

PIRATE Act

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Jan 24, 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 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.

What just happenedJan 24, 2020

Became Public Law No: 116-109.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20](D-NY)Sponsor
9 cosponsors4 D5 R
Read on Congress.gov
9cosponsors2committees22actions1related bills7subjects
  1. Jan 24, 2020President

    Became Public Law No: 116-109.

  2. Jan 24, 2020BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 116-109.

  3. Jan 24, 2020President

    Signed by President.

  4. Jan 24, 2020BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Jan 14, 2020Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Jan 14, 2020President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Jan 9, 2020Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Jan 8, 2020Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S84)

  9. Jan 8, 2020Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S84)

  10. Jan 8, 2020Discharge

    Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  11. Jan 8, 2020Committee14500

    Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  12. Feb 26, 2019IntroReferral

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

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  13. Feb 25, 2019FloorH38310

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

  14. Feb 25, 2019FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2050)

  15. Feb 25, 2019Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H2050)

  16. Feb 25, 2019FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 583.

  17. Feb 25, 2019FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2050-2052)

  18. Feb 25, 2019FloorH30300

    Mr. Tonko moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  19. Jan 25, 2019Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  20. Jan 16, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  21. Jan 16, 2019IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  22. Jan 16, 2019IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Public LawJan 24, 202049

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.

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 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.

Passed HouseFeb 25, 201953

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.

Introduced in HouseJan 16, 2019

Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act

This bill addresses unlicensed radio broadcasting (called pirating), including by increasing the maximum fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violation to $2 million 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 issued by the FCC.

PIRATE Act — Informed