§926 Authority to recover reassigned frequencies

Summary

The President may take back radio frequencies that were given up under section 924 and give them to Federal Government stations. If the FCC has not assigned those frequencies under the Communications Act of 1934, the President must use the frequency substitution steps in section 924(b). If the FCC has already assigned them, the President must still follow 924(b), but the required statement under section 924(b)(1)(B) must include a timetable to let licensees move to new frequencies and an estimate of the cost to displace FCC-licensed users. The Federal Government must pay all costs of taking back frequencies, including equipment made unusable, moving to new frequencies, and other direct costs, and funds may be appropriated as needed. The Commission cannot cancel licenses for reclaimed frequencies until the end of the fiscal year after the fiscal year in which it receives the statement under section 924(b)(1)(B). Nothing here limits the President’s authority under section 706 (47 U.S.C. 606).