← Back to Bills
H.R. 4109House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Spectrum Auction Deposits Act of 2017

Sponsored by Brett GuthrieRep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY)
Introduced October 24, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 6:44 PM UTC

The Spectrum Auction Deposits Act of 2017 rewrites a part of the Communications Act so that deposits made by companies bidding in spectrum auctions go straight to the Treasury’s general fund and are earmarked for reducing the federal deficit. It also prevents those deposits from being subject to certain government offset rules. The change affects all bidders in FCC‑run spectrum auctions and the Treasury.

Key Provisions

  • Changes the rule so that money bidders put down for FCC spectrum auctions must be deposited directly into the Treasury’s general fund, instead of an interest‑bearing account.
  • Specifies that these deposits are to be used only for deficit reduction.
  • States that any refunds of those deposits cannot be reduced by administrative offsets under the federal offset law.
  • Sets the effective date of the changes as October 1, 2018.

Legislative Activity

Stay on top of the latest movement without scrolling through every action

2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Communications and Technology Subcommittee

October 27, 2017

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 24, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

October 24, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Communications and Technology Subcommittee

October 27, 2017

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

Reading Mode
Latest
Raw Text PDF XML
Introduced in HouseIssued October 24, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4109

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 24, 2017

Mr. Guthrie (for himself and Ms. Matsui) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for the deposits of bidders in auctions of spectrum frequencies to be deposited in the Treasury.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Spectrum Auction Deposits Act of 2017.

2.

Deposits of bidders in auctions of spectrum frequencies to be deposited in Treasury

(a)

In general

Section 309(j)(8)(C) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 309(j)(8)(C)) is amended—

(1)

in the first sentence, by striking an interest bearing account and all that follows and inserting the Treasury.;

(2)

in clause (i)—

(A)

by striking paid to the Treasury and inserting deposited in the general fund of the Treasury (where such deposits shall be used for the sole purpose of deficit reduction); and

(B)

by striking the semicolon and inserting ; and;

(3)

in clause (ii), by striking ; and and inserting , and payments representing the return of such deposits shall not be subject to administrative offset under section 3716(c) of title 31, United States Code.; and

(4)

by striking clause (iii).

(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by this section shall take effect on October 1, 2018.