Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Communications Act of 1934, which enacted this chapter, amended section 35 of this title, section 21 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, section 487 of former Title 46, Shipping, and sections 1, 2, 5, and 15 of former Title 49, Transportation, and repealed sections 484 to 487 of former Title 46. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title of 2020 Amendment
Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title IX, § 902(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3206, provided that:
“This section [amending
section 615a–1 of this title, repealing
section 1413 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under
section 615a–1 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020’.”
Pub. L. 116–172, § 1, Oct. 17, 2020, 134 Stat. 832, provided that:
“This Act [enacting
section 251a of this title, amending
section 251 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under
section 251 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020’.”
Pub. L. 116–130, § 1, Mar. 23, 2020, 134 Stat. 228, provided that:
“This Act [enacting subchapter VII of this chapter] may be cited as the ‘Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act’ or the ‘Broadband DATA Act’.”
Pub. L. 116–109, § 1, Jan. 24, 2020, 134 Stat. 3, provided that:
“This Act [enacting
section 511 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Preventing Illegal Radio Abuse Through Enforcement Act’ or the ‘PIRATE Act’.”
Short Title of 2019 Amendment
Pub. L. 116–105, § 1, Dec. 30, 2019, 133 Stat. 3274, provided that:
“This Act [enacting sections
227b to
227b–2 of this title, amending
section 227 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under
section 227 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act’ or the ‘Pallone-Thune TRACED Act’.”
Pub. L. 116–94, div. P, title X, § 1001, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 3198, provided that:
“This title [enacting
section 562 of this title, amending
section 325 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 325 and 562 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019’.”
Short Title of 2018 Amendment
Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, § 1(a), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1080, provided that:
“This division [see Tables for classification] may be cited as the ‘Repack Airwaves Yielding Better Access for Users of Modern Services Act of 2018’ or the ‘RAY BAUM’S Act of 2018’.”
Pub. L. 115–129, § 1, Feb. 26, 2018, 132 Stat. 329, provided that:
“This Act [enacting
section 262 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act of 2017’.”
Pub. L. 115–127, § 1, Feb. 16, 2018, 132 Stat. 326, provided that:
“This Act [enacting
section 623 of this title and provisions set out as a note under
section 623 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Kari’s Law Act of 2017’.”
Short Title of 2014 Amendment
Pub. L. 113–200, § 1(a), Dec. 4, 2014, 128 Stat. 2059, provided that:
“This Act [amending sections
325,
338,
534, and
543 of this title and sections 111, 119, and 122 of Title 17, Copyrights, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
153,
325,
338, and
534 of this title and
section 111 of Title 17, and repealing provisions set out as a note under
section 119 of Title 17] may be cited as the ‘STELA Reauthorization Act of 2014’.”
Pub. L. 113–197, § 1, Nov. 26, 2014, 128 Stat. 2055, provided that:
“This Act [enacting
section 622 of this title and provisions set out as notes under
section 622 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Enhance Labeling, Accessing, and Branding of Electronic
Licenses Act of 2014’ or the ‘E–LABEL Act’.”
Short Title of 2010 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–331, § 1, Dec. 22, 2010, 124 Stat. 3572, provided that:
Pub. L. 111–311, § 1, Dec. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 3294, provided that:
Pub. L. 111–260, § 1(a), Oct. 8, 2010, 124 Stat. 2751, provided that:
“This Act [enacting sections
615c and
616 to
620 of this title, amending sections
153,
225,
303,
330,
402,
503,
610, and
613 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
153,
303,
613, and
619 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010’.”
Short Title of 2008 Amendment
Pub. L. 110–295, § 1, July 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2972, provided that:
“This Act [amending provisions set out as a note under
section 309 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
DTV Transition Assistance Act’.”
Pub. L. 110–283, § 1, July 23, 2008, 122 Stat. 2620, provided that:
“This Act [enacting
section 615a–1 of this title and amending sections 222, 615a, 615b, and 942 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008’ or the ‘
NET 911 Improvement Act of 2008’.”
Short Title of 2006 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–459, § 1, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3399, provided that:
“This Act [enacting and repealing provisions set out as notes under
section 201 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Call Home Act of 2006’.”
Pub. L. 109–235, § 1, June 15, 2006, 120 Stat. 491, provided that:
Short Title of 2000 Amendment
Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(4) [div. B, title XVII, § 1731], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–350, provided that:
“This subtitle [subtitle C (§§ 1731–1733) of title XVII of div. B of H.R. 5666, as enacted by
section 1(a)(4) of Pub. L. 106–554, amending
section 254 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under
section 254 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act’.”
Short Title of 1999 Amendments
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [title V, § 5008(a)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–594, provided that:
“This section [amending
section 336 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under
section 336 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Community Broadcasters Protection Act of 1999’.”
Pub. L. 106–81, § 1, Oct. 26, 1999, 113 Stat. 1286, provided that:
“This Act [enacting sections
615 to
615b of this title, amending sections
222 and
251 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under
section 615 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999’.”
Short Title of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104–104, § 1(a), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 56, provided that:
“This Act [enacting sections
160,
161,
222,
230,
251 to
261,
271 to
276,
336,
363,
549,
560,
561,
571 to
573,
613, and
614 of this title and
section 79z–5c of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, amending sections 151, 153 to 155, 204, 208, 214, 220, 221, 223 to 225, 228, 302a, 303, 305, 307 to 310, 312, 319, 330, 332, 360, 382, 385, 402, 522, 531 to 534, 537, 541 to 544a, 548, 552, 556, 557, 559, and 605 of this title, sections 18, 79, 79z–6, and 5714 of Title 15, and sections 1462, 1465, and 2422 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 151 to 153, 156, 157, 204, 214, 223, 228, 303, 308, 332, 534, 543, and 561 of this title and
section 1462 of Title 18] may be cited as the ‘
Telecommunications Act of 1996’.”
Pub. L. 104–104, title V, § 501, Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 133, provided that:
“This title [enacting sections
230,
560, and
561 of this title, amending sections
223,
303,
330,
531,
532, and
559 of this title and sections 1462, 1465, and 2422 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
223,
303, and
561 of this title and
section 1462 of Title 18] may be cited as the ‘
Communications Decency Act of 1996’.”
Short Title of 1992 Amendments
Pub. L. 102–385, § 1, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1460, provided that:
“This Act [enacting sections
334,
335,
534 to
537,
544a,
548, and
555a of this title, amending sections
325,
332,
522,
532,
533,
541 to
544,
546,
551 to
555, and
558 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
325,
521,
531,
543, and
554 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992’.”
Pub. L. 102–356, § 1, Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 949, provided that:
“This Act [amending sections
303b,
391,
393, and
396 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
303 and
396 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under
section 303 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Public Telecommunications Act of 1992’.”
Short Title of 1990 Amendments
Pub. L. 101–437, § 1, Oct. 17, 1990, 104 Stat. 996, provided that:
“This Act [enacting sections
303a,
303b, and
394 of this title, amending
section 397 of this title, renumbering former
section 394 of this title as section 393a, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 303a and 394 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Children’s Television Act of 1990’.”
Pub. L. 101–437, title II, § 201, Oct. 17, 1990, 104 Stat. 997, provided that:
“This title [enacting
section 394 of this title, amending
section 397 of this title, renumbering former
section 394 of this title as section 393a, and enacting provisions set out as a note under
section 394 of this title] may be cited as the ‘National Endowment for Children’s Educational Television Act of 1990’.”
Pub. L. 101–435, § 1, Oct. 17, 1990, 104 Stat. 986, provided that:
Pub. L. 101–431, § 1, Oct. 15, 1990, 104 Stat. 960, provided that:
“This Act [amending sections
303 and
330 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under
section 303 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990’.”
Pub. L. 101–396, § 1, Sept. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 848, provided:
“That this Act [enacting
section 333 of this title, amending sections 154, 156, 203, 303, 310, and 503 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under
section 154 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Federal Communications Commission Authorization Act of 1990’.”
Short Title of 1988 Amendments
Pub. L. 100–626, § 1, Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3207, provided that:
“This Act [amending sections
391,
396,
398,
399, and
605 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
391 and
396 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Public Telecommunications Act of 1988’.”
Pub. L. 100–594, § 1, Nov. 3, 1988, 102 Stat. 3021, provided that:
“This Act [amending sections
154 to
156,
158,
204,
208, and
405 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
154 and
156 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Federal Communications Commission Authorization Act of 1988’.”
Pub. L. 100–394, § 1, Aug. 16, 1988, 102 Stat. 976, provided:
“That this Act [amending
section 610 of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under
section 610 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988’.”
Short Title of 1984 Amendment
Pub. L. 98–549, § 1(a), Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2779, provided that:
“This Act [enacting subchapter V–A of this chapter and
section 611 of this title, amending sections 152, 224, 309, and 605 of this title,
section 2511 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and
section 1805 of Title 50, War and National Defense, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 521, 543, and 605 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984’.”
Short Title of 1983 Amendments
Pub. L. 98–214, § 1, Dec. 8, 1983, 97 Stat. 1467, provided that:
“This Act [enacting
section 157 of this title, amending sections 154, 156, 223, 310, 316, 396, and 503 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 156, 223, and 303 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Federal Communications Commission Authorization Act of 1983’.”
Pub. L. 97–410, § 1, Jan. 3, 1983, 96 Stat. 2043, provided:
“That this Act [enacting
section 610 of this title, amending
section 734 of this title, enacting provisions set out as a note under
section 610 of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under
section 396 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Telecommunications for the Disabled Act of 1982’.”
Short Title of 1982 Amendment
Pub. L. 97–259, title I, § 101, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1087, provided that:
“This title [enacting sections
332 and
510 of this title, amending sections
153,
154,
155,
224,
301,
302a,
303,
304,
307,
309,
311,
312,
319,
402,
405,
408,
503, and
605 of this title and
section 1114 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as a note under
section 302a of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Communications Amendments Act of 1982’.”
Short Title of 1981 Amendments
Pub. L. 97–130, § 1, Dec 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1687, provided that:
Pub. L. 97–35, title XII, § 1221, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 725, provided that:
“This chapter [chapter 1 (§§ 1221–1234) of subtitle B of title XII of
Pub. L. 97–35, enacting sections 399a and 399b of this title, amending sections 391, 392, 396, 397, and 399 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under
section 396 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Public Broadcasting Amendments Act of 1981’.”
Short Title of 1978 Amendments
Pub. L. 95–567, § 1, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2405, provided:
“That this Act [enacting
section 395 of this title, amending sections 390 to 392, 393, 394, and 396 to 398 of this title, repealing sections 392a and 395 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 390, 392, and 396 of this title and
section 5316 of Title 5, Government Organization and
Employees] may be cited as the ‘
Public Telecommunications Financing Act of 1978’.”
Pub. L. 95–234, § 1, Feb. 21, 1978, 92 Stat. 33, provided:
“That this Act [enacting
section 224 of this title, amending sections 152, 503, and 504 of this title, repealing
section 510 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as a note under
section 152 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Communications Act Amendments of 1978’.”
Short Title of 1976 Amendment
Pub. L. 94–309, § 1, June 5, 1976, 90 Stat. 683, provided:
“That this Act [enacting
section 392a of this title and amending sections 390, 391, 392, 395, 397, and 399 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Educational
Broadcasting Facilities and
Telecommunications Demonstration Act of 1976’.”
Short Title of 1960 Amendment
Pub. L. 86–752, § 1, Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat. 889, provided that:
“This Act [enacting sections
508 and
509 of this title, amending sections
154,
307,
309,
311,
312,
313,
317,
319,
405,
503, and
504 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections
309 and
405 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Communications Act Amendments, 1960’.”
Short Title of 1952 Amendment
Act July 16, 1952, ch. 879, § 1, 66 Stat. 711, provided that:
“This Act [enacting
section 1343 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, amending sections 153 to 155, 307 to 312, 315, 316, 319, 402, 405, 409, and 410 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under
section 153 of this title] may be cited as the ‘
Communications Act Amendments, 1952’.”