Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios
Key tech provisions will get caught in the crosshairs of reconciliation drama as Congress returns this week.
Why it matters: Tucked in the sprawling bill is a provision that could stop AI state-level work in its tracks and language to finally revive spectrum goals.
Here's what we're tracking over the next couple of weeks.
The House bill, now being taken up by the Senate, includes a provision that would institute a 10-year moratorium on enforcing any state-level AI bills as nearly all states consider legislation.
- The language impacts senators whose states are moving forward with protections for their constituents, from Tennessee to California.
- Senators may push to eliminate the provision from the bill, citing concerns it does not address money matters and goes against the chamber's Byrd Rule.
- With limited time on the floor, it would be difficult to pass this as a standalone measure.
The FCC's spectrum auction authority would be reauthorized in the reconciliation bill after a more than two-year lapse.
- The House bill frees up at least 600 MHz of airwaves for commercial use — 200 within three years, and the rest within six years.
- In the Senate, Commerce Chair Ted Cruz has aimed higher: his bill with Senate Majority Leader John Thune instructs the FCC to free up at least 1,250 MHz of spectrum within six years.
- The auction would be a key pay-for in the bill as lawmakers try to keep their word not to increase the national deficit and likely want to take all the revenue they can get.
- The Congressional Budget Office says spectrum could generate $88 billion in revenue.
What we're watching: Senate appropriations leaders may not have time to go through regular order for reconciliation.
- Without markups, there would be less opportunity for lengthy debate over specific language in bills and negotiations would fall to committee chairs and Senate leadership.
- All eyes will be on Cruz and Thune, two long-time spectrum nerds.
What's next: Republicans have a self-imposed deadline of July 4 to pass the reconciliation bill.
