Bill > S887

This bill, the Federal Spectrum Incentive Act of 2015, aims to encourage federal government agencies to make their assigned radio frequencies, known as spectrum, available for commercial use by offering financial incentives. It amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to allow federal entities to either relocate their operations to different frequencies or discontinue their use of certain frequencies altogether. If a federal entity chooses to discontinue operations or relocate to allow for sharing, they can receive payments from a newly established Federal Spectrum Incentive Fund, administered by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These funds can be used to offset sequestration cuts (budget reductions mandated by law) or to transfer to another federal entity if sharing frequencies. The bill also clarifies that costs incurred by an incumbent federal entity to accommodate sharing spectrum with a relocating federal entity are eligible for reimbursement from the Spectrum Relocation Fund, unless the relocating entity opts for discontinuance. A portion of the proceeds from auctions of these newly available frequencies will be deposited into the Federal Spectrum Incentive Fund, with the remainder going to the Treasury for deficit reduction.