Walden Still Wants T-Band Mandate Solution Paired With End to 911 Fee Diversion
House Commerce Committee ranking member Greg Walden, R-Ore., responded Tuesday to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's call for Congress to repeal the 2012 spectrum law's mandate for public safety to move off the 470-512 MHz band by 2021, saying he still…
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wants any legislative deal to also end state and local-level diversion of 911 fees. Pai's endorsement of repeal is seen as potentially spurring on lawmaker interest in the issue, particularly among Republicans (see 1912020063). “I’ve floated multiple proposals to find a consensus resolution to the T-Band auction,” Walden said via a House Commerce GOP tweet. “Jurisdictions that want T-Band resolved shouldn’t be diverting 911 fees from 1st responders & I hope the FCC agrees.” Walden floated a proposal in May to delay from 2021 to 2024 the deadline for public safety agencies to move off the T band in states and localities that comply with calls to end 911 fee diversion (see 1905150061).