H.R. 3685 – Radio Consumer Protection Act of 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 5:51 PM UTC

The Radio Consumer Protection Act of 2017 creates a new Treasury fund to reimburse AM, FM, non‑commercial and translator radio stations for expenses they incur because of the FCC’s reorganization of broadcast television spectrum. The fund is funded as needed, can be used through the end of fiscal year 2022, and any leftover money returns to the Treasury. The bill also directs the FCC to speed up approvals for stations that need temporary authority to stay on the air during the spectrum changes.

Key Provisions

Establishes the "Radio Consumer Protection Fund" in the Treasury to cover costs radio stations face from the TV spectrum reallocation.
Appropriations for the fund are unlimited – any amount necessary may be provided – and the money is available to the FCC for reimbursements until the end of FY 2022.
Any unused balance after FY 2022 must be transferred back to the Treasury’s general fund.
Requires the FCC to expedite review and approval of applications from radio stations seeking special temporary authority to continue broadcasting during the spectrum reorganization.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Communications and Technology Subcommittee

September 8, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 6, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

September 6, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Communications and Technology Subcommittee

September 8, 2017

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 3685 on the floor

1 Republican

Rep. Bill FloresR-TX-17 · Mar 7, 2018

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4986, RAY BAUM'S Act, to reauthorize the FCC. I am particularly pleased to see that we are addressing potential problems imposed upon our nation's radio…

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 6, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3685

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 6, 2017

Mr. Flores (for himself and Mr. Gene Green of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To establish an additional fund in the Treasury to reimburse costs incurred by terrestrial radio stations as a result of the reorganization of broadcast television spectrum, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Radio Consumer Protection Act of 2017.

2.

Radio Consumer Protection Fund

(a)

Establishment

There is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the Radio Consumer Protection Fund.

(b)

Authorization of Appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Radio Consumer Protection Fund such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the Radio Consumer Protection Fund.

(c)

Purposes; availability of funds

Amounts in the Radio Consumer Protection Fund shall be available to the Commission to make any payments to a broadcast radio station for costs that the station incurred resulting from the reorganization of broadcast television spectrum authorized under section 6403(b) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1452(b)).

(d)

Limitation

Amounts made available to the Commission under subsection (c) shall be available until the end of fiscal year 2022.

(e)

Unused funds returned to the general fund of the treasury

If any amounts remain in the Radio Consumer Protection Fund after the end of fiscal year 2022, the Secretary shall transfer such amounts to the general fund of the Treasury.

3.

Expedited consideration of applications

The Commission shall expedite consideration and approval of applications from licensees of broadcast radio stations seeking to obtain special temporary authority to continue broadcasting during the reorganization of broadcast television spectrum authorized under section 6403(b) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1452(b)).

4.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Broadcast radio station

The term broadcast radio station means any entity that is licensed by the Commission as an AM, FM, noncommercial educational FM, or FM Translator radio broadcast station under the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.).

(2)

Commission

The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.

(3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Treasury.