PIRATE Act

11/1/2022, 4:32 PM

Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act

This bill addresses unlicensed radio broadcasting (called pirating), including by increasing the maximum fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violation to $2 million and imposing a fine of up to $100,000 per day for pirating violations subject to the $2 million limit.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must (1) annually submit to Congress a report summarizing implementation of this bill and associated enforcement activities for the previous fiscal year; and (2) at least once a year, assign appropriate enforcement personnel to focus specific and sustained attention on the elimination of pirate radio broadcasting within the top five radio markets.

The FCC may not preempt any state or local law prohibiting pirate radio broadcasting.

The FCC shall (1) revise its rules to require that, absent good cause, in any case alleging a violation, it shall proceed directly to issue a Notice of Apparent Liability without first issuing a Notice of Unlicensed Operation; and (2) publish a database of all licensed radio stations operating in the AM and FM band that includes each licensed station and all entities that have received a Notice of Unlicensed Operation, Notice of Apparent Liability, or Forfeiture Order issued by the FCC.

Congress
116

Number
HR - 583

Introduced on
2019-01-16

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act

This bill addresses unlicensed radio broadcasting (called pirating), including by increasing the maximum fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violation to $2 million and imposing a fine of up to $100,000 per day for pirating violations subject to the $2 million limit.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must (1) annually submit to Congress a report summarizing implementation of this bill and associated enforcement activities for the previous fiscal year; and (2) at least once a year, assign appropriate enforcement personnel to focus specific and sustained attention on the elimination of pirate radio broadcasting within the top five radio markets.

The FCC may not preempt any state or local law prohibiting pirate radio broadcasting.

The FCC shall (1) revise its rules to require that, absent good cause, in any case alleging a violation, it shall proceed directly to issue a Notice of Apparent Liability without first issuing a Notice of Unlicensed Operation; and (2) publish a database of all licensed radio stations operating in the AM and FM band that includes each licensed station and all entities that have received a Notice of Unlicensed Operation, Notice of Apparent Liability, or Forfeiture Order issued by the FCC.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for enhanced penalties for pirate radio, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Science, Technology, Communications

Potential Impact
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Government information and archives
Licensing and registrations

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary9/14/2021

Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act or the PIRATE Act

This bill addresses unlicensed radio broadcasting (called pirating), including by increasing the maximum fine for a pirate radio broadcasting violati...


Latest Action1/24/2020
Became Public Law No: 116-109.