SAT Streamlining Act

This bill establishes new radiofrequency licensing authority for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for certain satellite and earth station operations, setting deadlines for application decisions and modifying existing law.

Sec. 2, Authority regarding certain licenses: This section amends the Communications Act of 1934 by adding a new section 346. It defines terms like "covered application," "covered authorization," "gateway station," and "individually licensed earth station." The FCC must issue rules within 12 months to establish expedited treatment for certain license modifications, notification procedures, competition-promoting rules, and what constitutes reportable foreign ownership.

Sec. 2(c), Application for license: The FCC must decide on applications for licenses for nongeostationary orbit (NGSO) and geostationary orbit (GSO) space stations and blanket-licensed earth stations within 1 year of public notice. Applications must include performance metrics. Initial licenses are granted for up to 15 years.

Sec. 2(d), Application for grant of market access: The FCC must decide on applications for market access for NGSO and GSO space stations and blanket-licensed earth stations within 1 year of public notice for major amendments. Applications must include performance metrics. Initial grants are for up to 15 years.

Sec. 2(e), Earth station authorization: The FCC must decide on applications for individually licensed earth stations within 180 days, and for receive-only earth stations within 30 days. This does not apply to blanket-licensed earth stations.

Sec. 2(f), Renewal: The FCC must decide on renewal requests for licenses, grants, or authorizations within 180 days, granting them if requirements are met for a term not exceeding the initial term.

Sec. 2(g), Modification of license or grant of market access: Major modifications for NGSO licenses must be decided within 1 year. Minor modifications that increase capacity or improve spectral efficiency must be granted within 90 days. Certain replacements of space stations or earth stations must be decided within 30 days.

Sec. 2(h), Emergency grant, renewal, or modification: The FCC may grant, renew, or modify licenses for up to 180 days in extraordinary circumstances involving danger to life or property or national defense, with a statement of reasons.

Sec. 2(i), State preemption of market entry; rates: States and local governments cannot regulate rates charged by licensees or grantees, but may adopt fair regulations on other terms and conditions that do not prohibit market entry.

Sec. 2(j), Regulatory restraint: The FCC must limit information required to that strictly necessary and cannot require information already furnished or not directly material. Petitions about information requirements must be decided within 90 days.

Sec. 2(k), Relation to experimental and amateur uses: This section does not apply to experimental or amateur radio service authorizations.

Sec. 2(l), Completeness: Within 30 days of receiving an application, the FCC must determine if it is complete and either issue a public notice of acceptance or notify the applicant of deficiencies.