SAT Streamlining Act

This bill, the Satellite and Telecommunications Streamlining Act, amends the Communications Act of 1934 to expedite the processing of certain satellite and space licenses and grants of market access by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It sets deadlines for FCC action on applications, establishes procedures for renewals, modifications, and emergency grants, and includes provisions for national security reviews and state preemption.

Sec. 3, Authority regarding certain licenses: This section adds a new section 346 to the Communications Act. It defines key terms like 'major amendment' and 'national defense or security of the United States.' The FCC must issue rules within one year. For license applications (non-geostationary orbit space stations, geostationary orbit space stations, earth stations, blanket-licensed earth stations) and major amendments, the FCC must grant or deny within one year of receiving a completed application. For petitions for market access, the FCC must grant or deny after a public notice, with grants not exceeding 15 years. The FCC can extend review deadlines only under specific conditions (e.g., danger to life, national security, processing rounds, or appropriations lapses), with extensions limited to 90 days and a maximum of two. If the FCC fails to act, the application is deemed granted upon written notice from the applicant. Renewal requests must be decided within 180 days, with similar deemed-granted provisions. Minor modifications must be granted within 90 days, with exceptions for national security. Certain replacements of space or earth stations with technically similar ones must be decided within 30 days. The FCC must allow non-geostationary orbit operators to add authorized space stations to ground stations on a notification-only basis. The FCC can grant emergency licenses, renewals, or modifications for up to 180 days in cases of danger to life or property or national security. Applications from entities with reportable foreign ownership must be referred to the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector for national security review. The FCC must determine application completeness within 30 days, with a deemed-acceptance provision if it fails to act. The FCC and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance interagency coordination. State and local governments cannot regulate rates charged by licensees or market access grantees. The FCC must promote spectrum efficiency and limit information requirements to what is strictly necessary. The FCC must submit an annual report on application backlogs. This section does not apply to experimental or amateur radio services. The bill also amends section 309 of the Communications Act to include these new licenses and grants in renewal procedures and competitive bidding exemptions.