Title 15 — Commerce and TradeRelease 119-73not60

§1532 Telecommunications; Electromagnetic Radiation; Research, Analysis, Dissemination of Information; Other Functions of Secretary

Title 15 › Chapter 40— DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE › § 1532

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

Lets the Secretary of Commerce study and help manage how radio and other electromagnetic waves are used for communications. The Secretary can research how waves travel, what changes or blocks them, noise and interference, system designs, and ways to use the spectrum better. The Secretary can make forecasts and warnings about propagation, study how signals go from transmitter to receiver to guide frequency choices, and provide research help to other federal agencies. The Secretary can also study nonionizing electromagnetic radiation and how to measure electromagnetic environments to guide federal policies. The Secretary may collect, check, publish, and share technical data from this work when it matters to science, industry, or the public, and do other similar activities as needed.

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §1532

Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to—

(1)conduct research on all of the telecommunications sciences, including wave propagation and reception, the conditions which affect electromagnetic wave propagation and reception, electromagnetic noise and interference, radio system characteristics, operating techniques affecting the use of the electromagnetic spectrum, and methods for improving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum for telecommunications purposes;

(2)prepare and issue predictions of electromagnetic wave propagation conditions and warnings of disturbances in such conditions;

(3)investigate conditions which affect the transmission of radio waves from their source to a receiver and the compilation and distribution of information on such transmission of radio waves as a basis for choice of frequencies to be used in radio operations;

(4)conduct research and analysis in the general field of telecommunications sciences in support of assigned functions and in support of other Government agencies;

(5)investigate nonionizing electromagnetic radiation and its uses, as well as methods and procedures for measuring and assessing electromagnetic environments, for the purpose of developing and coordinating policies and procedures affecting Federal Government use of the electromagnetic spectrum for telecommunications purposes;

(6)compile, evaluate, publish, and otherwise disseminate general scientific and technical data resulting from the performance of the functions specified in this section or from other sources when such data are important to science, engineering, or industry, or to the general public, and are not available elsewhere; and

(7)undertake such other activities similar to those specified in this subsection as the Secretary of Commerce determines appropriate.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

15 U.S.C. § 1532

Title 15 — Commerce and Trade

Last Updated

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60