House votes for repeal of T-Band spectrum auction, measure to halt ‘raiding’ of 911 fees

The House approved legislation that would repeal a law requiring the Federal Communications Commission to auction public-safety T-Band spectrum and would seek to prohibit the practice of state and local governments using revenue from 911 fees for purposes other than 911. Language in the “Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act” (HR 451) would abolish a mandate that the FCC auction T-Band airwaves—pockets of spectrum from 470 MHz to 512 MHz used to support public-safety LMR systems in 11 metropolitan markets—in a bidding procedure that would begin early in 2021. In addition to repealing the T-Band auction mandate, HR 451 was amended to include language that is designed to discourage state and local government entities from utilizing 911 fee revenues from phone bills to fund non-911 initiatives. Known as “raiding,” this practice of redirecting revenues from 911 fees has been done in multiple states for years, particularly to help balance budgets during difficult economic times. After the 410-5 vote, the bill moves to the Senate.