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United States · Law · S

S. 376 (106th)

ORBIT Act

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

4 February 1999

Last action

17 March 2000 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 106-180.

Sponsors

Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT], Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ], Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND], Sen. Bryan, Richard H. [D-NV], Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS], Sen. Cleland, Max [D-GA], Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Mikulski, Barbara A. [D-MD], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Ashcroft, John [R-MO], Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN], Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV], Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI], Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME], Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA], Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI], Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK], Sen. Lott, Trent [R-MS], Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

7 April 2025

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Open-market Reorganization for the Betterment of International Telecommunications Act - Amends the Communications Satellite Act of 1962 to require COMSAT (the Communications Satellite Corporation), as the sole U.S. signatory to INTELSAT (the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization), to act as an advocate of pro-competitive privatization of INTELSAT, and to exercise its voting rights consistent with such mission. Requires annual reports from COMSAT to specified congressional committees. Prohibits INTELSAT from entering the U.S. satellite communications services or space segment capacity markets prior to achieving pro-competitive privatization as certified by the President. Outlines specified services provided by INTELSAT that shall not be authorized in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) until the President makes such certification. Directs the President to secure a pro-competitive privatization of INTELSAT as soon as practicable, but no later than January 1, 2002. Directs the FCC to: (1) apply a presumption in favor of entry to an affiliate of IGO (Intergovernmental Satellite Organizations, which are made up of INTELSAT and INMARSAT (the International Maritime Satellite Organization)) licensed by a World Trade Organization (WTO) member for services covered by U.S. commitments under the WTO Basic Telecom Agreement; (2) attach necessary conditions to any grant of authority to such an affiliate that raises the potential for competitive harm; and (3) deny, in exceptional cases, the application of such an affiliate when it poses a very high risk to competition in the U.S. satellite market. Outlines procedures for INTELSAT privatization certification by the President. Provides for FCC review of certain related license applications. Requires the President, if privatization is not achieved by the required date, to: (1) determine whether additional measures should be implemented to ensure such privatization; and (2) report such measures to specified congressional committees. Eliminates certain governmental privileges and immunities held by COMSAT as the U.S. representative to INTELSAT, with exceptions. Requires all satellite system operators authorized to access the U.S. market to make efficient and timely use of orbital and spectrum resources to ensure that such resources are not warehoused to the detriment of other new or existing satellite system operators. Prohibits any Government preference in the procurement of telecommunications satellite services provided by INTELSAT. Prohibits the FCC from assigning by competitive bidding orbital locations or spectrum used for the provision of international or global satellite communications services. Amends the International Maritime Satellite Telecommunications Act to authorize the President, in order to ensure the continued provision of global maritime distress and safety satellite telecommunications services after the privatization of INMARSAT, to maintain U.S. membership in the International Mobile Satellite Organization.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 4 February 1999

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 4 February 1999

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1275-1276)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 4 February 1999

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 25 March 1999

    Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Communications. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 106-1099.

    Source: Committee

  5. 5 May 1999

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  6. 30 June 1999

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 189.

    Source: Calendars

  7. 30 June 1999

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-100.

    Source: Committee

  8. 30 June 1999

    Reported

    Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator McCain with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-100.

    Source: Committee

  9. 1 July 1999

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8051-8053)

    Source: Floor

  10. 1 July 1999

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR 7/12/1999 S8297-8300)

    Source: Floor

  11. 12 July 1999

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.

    Source: IntroReferral

  12. 12 July 1999

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  13. 12 July 1999

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  14. 27 August 1999

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

    Source: Committee

  15. 10 November 1999

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  16. 10 November 1999

    ResolvingDifferences

    The Speaker appointed conferees: Bliley, Tauzin, Oxley, Dingell, and Markey.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  17. 10 November 1999

    Passed

    On motion that the House insist upon its amendment, and request a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H11939)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  18. 10 November 1999

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Tauzin asked unanimous consent that the House insist upon its amendment, and request a conference.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  19. 10 November 1999

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  20. 10 November 1999

    Floor

    A similar measure H.R. 3261 was laid on the table without objection.

    Source: Floor

  21. 10 November 1999

    Passed

    On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H11936-11939)

    Source: Floor

  22. 10 November 1999

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H11936-11939)

    Source: Floor

  23. 10 November 1999

    Passed

    The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 3261. Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  24. 10 November 1999

    Floor

    Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H11936-11939)

    Source: Floor

  25. 10 November 1999

    Floor

    Mr. Tauzin asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.

    Source: Floor

  26. 10 November 1999

    Discharge

    Committee on Commerce discharged.

    Source: Discharge

  27. 10 November 1999

    Committee

    Committee on Commerce discharged.

    Source: Committee

  28. 16 November 1999

    Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.

    Source: Floor

  29. 19 November 1999

    Passed

    Senate disagreed to the House amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S14914-14918; text: CR S14914-14918)

    Source: Floor

  30. 22 November 1999

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  31. 24 January 2000

    Passed

    Senate agreed to request for conference. Appointed conferees. McCain, Stevens, Burns, Hollings and Inouye.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  32. 24 January 2000

    Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: and the House requests that the Senate withdraw its request for a conference and agree to the conference asked by the House.

    Source: Floor

  33. 24 January 2000

    Passed

    Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate disagreed to the House amendment by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: NotUsed

  34. 27 January 2000

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  35. 29 February 2000

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference held.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  36. 29 February 2000

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference committee actions: Conference held.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  37. 2 March 2000

    Passed

    Conferees agreed to file conference report.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  38. 2 March 2000

    Passed

    Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S1155)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  39. 2 March 2000

    Passed

    Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  40. 2 March 2000

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference report H. Rept. 106-509 filed. (consideration: CR H636-639; text of conference report: CR H636-639)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  41. 2 March 2000

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 106-509 filed.(consideration: CR H636-639; text of conference report: CR H636-639)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  42. 6 March 2000

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  43. 8 March 2000

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 432 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to S. 376. All points of order against the conference report and against its consideration are waived.

    Source: Floor

  44. 9 March 2000

    Passed

    On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H902-906)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  45. 9 March 2000

    Passed

    Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  46. 9 March 2000

    Passed

    Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H902-906)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  47. 9 March 2000

    ResolvingDifferences

    The previous question was ordered without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  48. 9 March 2000

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report on S. 376.

    Source: Floor

  49. 9 March 2000

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Bliley brought up conference report H. Rept. 106-509 for consideration as a privileged matter.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  50. 10 March 2000

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  51. 10 March 2000

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  52. 17 March 2000

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 106-180.

    Source: President

  53. 17 March 2000

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  54. 17 March 2000

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

19 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 17 March 2000

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 17 March 2000

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  • Conference report filed in House

    summary · EN · 2 March 2000

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  • Engrossed Amendment House (text)

    Engrossed Amendment House · EN · 10 November 1999

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  • Engrossed Amendment House (PDF)

    Engrossed Amendment House · EN · 10 November 1999

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 10 November 1999

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  • Referred in House (text)

    Referred in House · EN · 12 July 1999

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  • Referred in House (PDF)

    Referred in House · EN · 12 July 1999

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 1 July 1999

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  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 1 July 1999

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 1 July 1999

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 30 June 1999

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 30 June 1999

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 30 June 1999

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 4 February 1999

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 4 February 1999

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 4 February 1999

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Sponsors

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Direct relationships

  • Legal framework · ORBIT Act · S. 376 (106th) · US
  • Identifier matchPROJECTS_FROM

    Same us record 106-s-376 projected from PoliticalRepo US row.

    ORBIT Act

Sources

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