To authorize the enforcement by State and local governments of certain Federal Communications Commission regulations regarding use of citizens band radio equipment.
Public Law 106-521 · H.R. 2346 · 106th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Bill Clinton (D) on Nov 22, 2000 · Science, Technology, Communications
Sponsor: Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI-3)
Cosponsors (9): Rep. Howard Coble, Rep. John Dingell,
Passage votes
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateUnanimous consent
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow a State or local government to enact a statute or ordinance that prohibits a violation of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations which prohibit: (1) a use of citizens band radio equipment not authorized by the FCC; or (2) the unauthorized operation of such equipment on a frequency between 24 and 35 megahertz.
Provides that a station licensed by the FCC in any radio service for the operation at issue shall not be subject to such a statute or ordinance.
Requires the FCC to provide technical guidance regarding the detection and determination of violations of FCC regulations.
Permits a person affected to submit to the FCC an appeal of the decision of a State or local government enforcing such a statute or ordinance.
Provides that: (1) the enforcement of such a statute or ordinance shall not preclude the FCC from enforcing the regulation in that case concurrently; and (2) nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish or otherwise affect FCC jurisdiction over devices capable of interfering with radio communications.
Mandates that enforcement of a statute or ordinance with respect to citizens band radio equipment aboard a commercial motor vehicle shall require probable cause that such vehicle or individual is in violation of such FCC regulations.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Energy and Commerce Committee · House · markup by, referred to, reported bySubcommittee: Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 17 actions.
- Nov 22, 2000Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 106-521.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Nov 14, 2000PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Nov 13, 2000Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Tauzin moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
- Oct 31, 2000FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
- Sep 27, 2000FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- FloorFloor · Mr. Burr moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Sep 22, 2000CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Energy and Commerce Committee
- Sep 14, 2000CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Energy and Commerce Committee
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
- Jul 7, 1999CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
- Jun 24, 1999CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Energy and Commerce Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.