Top Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Broadband, Broadcast journalism, Business, Competition, Direct broadcast satellites, Emergency communication systems, Emergency management, Executive departments, Federal Communications Commission, Independent regulatory commissions, Law, Licenses, Radio broadcasting, Radio programs, Technology, Telecommunication, Telecommunication industry
Latest Action: 02/13/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality. Bill TextTo preserve local radio broadcast emergency and other services and to require the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a rulemaking for that purpose. 2/12/2007--Introduced. Local Emergency Radio Service Preservation Act of 2007 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), consistent with the representations made by digital audio radio satellite service licensees that digital audio radio satellite service would be a national service, to revise its regulations to provide that digital audio radio satellite service (DARSS): (1) licensees shall not provide services that are locally differentiated or that result in programming being delivered to consumers in one geographic market that is different from programming delivered in any other geographic market; and (2) repeaters shall be restricted to simultaneously retransmitting the programming transmitted by satellite directly to DARSS subscribers' receivers. Requires the FCC to complete a rulemaking proceeding [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Auctions, Auditing, Budgets, Campaign funds, Congress, Congressional elections, Congressional mail, Congressional reporting requirements, Election administration, Election candidates, Elections, Electronic data interchange, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Expedited congressional procedure, Federal Election Commission, Finance, Fines (Penalties), Franking privilege, Government information, Government paperwork, Government trust funds, Governmental investigations, House rules and procedure, Income tax, Judicial review, Law, Legislation, Licenses, Negative campaigning, Political action committees, Political advertising, Political parties, Primaries, Radio frequency allocation, Senate, Senate rules and procedure, Supreme Court, Tax credits, Taxation, Technology, Telecommunication, Telecommunication rates, Television stations, User charges
Latest Action: 03/20/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3372-3381) Bill TextA bill to reform the financing of Senate elections, and for other purposes. 3/20/2007--Introduced. Fair Elections Now Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to: (1) eligibility and qualifying contribution requirements, seed money limits, and benefits of fair elections financing of Senate election campaigns; (2) establishment of a Senate Fair Elections Fund; (3) eligibility for Fund allocations as well as such allocations; (4) a seed money contribution requirement; (5) contribution and expenditure requirements; (6) certification of whether or not a federal election candidate is a participating candidate; (7) benefits for participating candidates; (8) payment of fair fight funds; (9) administration of the Senate Fair Elections System; (10) reporting requirements for nonparticipating candidates; (11) modification of electioneering communication reporting requirements; and (12) the limitation on coordinated expenditures by political party committees [...] show full description
Latest Action: 04/25/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5019, S5106-5107) Bill TextA bill to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to support efforts by local or regional television or radio broadcasters to provide essential public information programming in the event of a major disaster, and for other purposes. 4/25/2007--Introduced. First Response Broadcasters Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for facility and equipment expenses to construct an additional 25 Primary Entry Point stations (radio broadcast stations designated to provide public information following emergencies where there is no commercial power) in the continental United States and territories.Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program, the Broadcast Disaster Preparedness Grant Program, under which the Administrator may make grants to first response broadcasters. Sets forth provisions regarding priorities in making grants, use of funds, the federal [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Authors and authorship, Business, Business records, Civil liberties, Communications, Confidential communications, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Criminal procedure, Discovery (Law), Evidence (Law), Freedom of the press, Humanities, Informers, Journalism, Journalistic ethics, Law, Newspapers, Periodicals, Press, Prosecution, Subpoena, Telecommunication, Television stations, Witnesses
Latest Action: 09/27/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-226. 10:00 a.m. Bill TextA bill to maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media. 5/2/2007--Introduced. Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 - Prohibits a federal entity (an entity or employee of the judicial or executive branch or an administrative agency) from compelling a covered person (a person engaged in journalism, including their supervisor, employer, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate) to testify or produce any document unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence. Requires the content of compelled testimony or documents to be limited and narrowly tailored. Applies this Act to communications service providers with regard to testimony or any record, information, or other communication that relates to a business transaction between such providers and covered persons. Sets forth notice requirements. Permits a court [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Auctions, Auditing, Budgets, Campaign funds, Congress, Congressional elections, Congressional mail, Congressional reporting requirements, Election administration, Election candidates, Elections, Electronic data interchange, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Expedited congressional procedure, Federal Election Commission, Finance, Fines (Penalties), Franking privilege, Government information, Government paperwork, Government trust funds, Governmental investigations, House rules and procedure, Judicial review, Law, Legislation, Licenses, Negative campaigning, Political action committees, Political advertising, Political parties, Primaries, Radio frequency allocation, Senate, Senate rules and procedure, Supreme Court, Taxation, Technology, Telecommunication, Telecommunication rates, Television stations, User charges
Latest Action: 06/20/2007 - Committee on Rules and Administration. Date of scheduled hearing. SR-301. 10:00 a.m. Bill TextA bill to reform the financing of Senate elections, and for other purposes. 5/3/2007--Introduced. Fair Elections Now Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to: (1) eligibility and qualifying contribution requirements, seed money limits, and benefits of fair elections financing of Senate election campaigns; (2) establishment of a Senate Fair Elections Fund; (3) eligibility for Fund allocations as well as such allocations; (4) a seed money contribution requirement; (5) contribution and expenditure requirements; (6) certification of whether or not a federal election candidate is a participating candidate; (7) benefits for participating candidates; (8) payment of fair fight funds; (9) administration of the Senate Fair Elections System; (10) reporting requirements for nonparticipating candidates; (11) modification of electioneering communication reporting requirements; and (12) the limitation on coordinated expenditures by political party committees [...] show full description
Latest Action: 03/04/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with an amendment. With written report No. 110-271. Bill TextA bill to implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM service. 3/4/2008--Reported to Senate amended. (There is 1 other summary) Local Community Radio Act of 2007 - Repeals provisions in the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, that required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) modify rules authorizing the operation of low-power FM radio stations to prescribe minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels; (2) prohibit applicants who have engaged in the unlicensed operation of any station from obtaining a low-power FM license; and (3) conduct a program to test whether low-power FM radio stations will result in harmful interference to existing FM radio stations if minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels are not required. Requires the FCC to: (1) modify its rules [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Authors and authorship, Business, Business records, Civil liberties, Communications, Confidential communications, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Criminal procedure, Discovery (Law), Evidence (Law), Freedom of the press, Humanities, Informers, Journalism, Journalistic ethics, Law, Newspapers, Periodicals, Press, Prosecution, Subpoena, Telecommunication, Television stations, Witnesses
Latest Action: 10/18/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 428. Bill TextTo maintain the free flow of information to the public by providing conditions for the federally compelled disclosure of information by certain persons connected with the news media. 10/16/2007--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Free Flow of Information Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Prohibits a federal entity (an entity or employee of the judicial or executive branch or an administrative agency of the federal government), in any matter arising under federal law, from compelling a covered person to testify or produce any document unless a court makes specified determinations by a preponderance of the evidence, including determinations: (1) relating to exhaustion of alternative sources, (2) that the testimony or document sought is critical; (3) that disclosure of the information source's identity is necessary; and (4) that the public interest in compelling disclosure of the information or document involved outweighs the public interest in gathering [...] show full description
Latest Action: 05/16/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. Bill TextTo amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to support efforts by local or regional television or radio broadcasters to provide essential public information programming in the event of a major disaster, and for other purposes. 5/15/2007--Introduced. First Response Broadcasters Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for facility and equipment expenses to construct an additional 25 Primary Entry Point stations (radio broadcast stations designated to provide public information following emergencies where there is no commercial power) in the continental United States and territories.Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program, the Broadcast Disaster Preparedness Grant Program, under which the Administrator may make grants to first response broadcasters. Sets forth provisions regarding priorities in making grants, use of funds, the federal [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Antennas, Armed forces, Defense policy, Department of Homeland Security, Emergency communication systems, Emergency management, Equipment and supplies, Executive departments, Internet, Law, Military communications, Planning, Radio, Radio broadcasting, Radio frequency allocation, Technology, Telecommunication
Latest Action: 06/15/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Bill TextTo provide for the continuance of volunteer communications capability within the United States and its territories. 6/15/2007--Introduced. Military Affiliate Radio System Emergency Communication Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) require that high frequency (short-wave) transmitters, receivers, and related data and interface equipment that meet standards of service established for the Amateur Radio Service by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the frequency range of 2-30 megahertz are also approved for routine training functions and emergency communication service on any federal government Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS) or National Communication System Shared Resources High Frequency Radio Program (SHARES) channel within that frequency range; and (2) encourage and utilize MARS personnel, facilities, capabilities, and radio equipment to connect to the Internet in their emergency communication [...] show full description
Latest Action: 06/21/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Bill TextTo implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM service. 6/21/2007--Introduced. Local Community Radio Act of 2007 - Repeals provisions in the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, that required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) modify rules authorizing the operation of low-power FM radio stations to prescribe minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels; (2) prohibit applicants who have engaged in the unlicensed operation of any station from obtaining a low-power FM license; and (3) conduct a program to test whether low-power FM radio stations will result in harmful interference to existing FM radio stations if minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels are not required. Requires the FCC to modify its rules to eliminate third-adjacent minimum distance separation requirements between specified [...] show full description
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Latest Legislation - View All
Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4033) Bill TextA concurrent resolution supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act. 5/12/2008--Introduced. Declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over-the-air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Business, Communications, Congress, Congressional veto, Economic concentration, Executive departments, Federal Communications Commission, Independent regulatory commissions, Law, Newspapers, Telecommunication, Telecommunication industry, Television stations
Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Bill TextDisapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to broadcast media ownership. 3/13/2008--Introduced. Disapproves the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and received by Congress on February 22, 2008, relating to broadcast media ownership.
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Business, Communications, Congress, Congressional veto, Economic concentration, Executive departments, Federal Communications Commission, Independent regulatory commissions, Law, Newspapers, Telecommunication, Telecommunication industry, Television stations
Latest Action: 05/19/2008 - Received in the House. Bill TextA joint resolution disapproving the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission with respect to broadcast media ownership. 5/15/2008--Passed Senate without amendment. (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Disapproves the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and received by Congress on February 22, 2008, relating to broadcast media ownership. Declares that the rule shall have no force or effect.
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Education, Educational television, Elections, Elementary and secondary education, Executive departments, Federal Communications Commission, Independent regulatory commissions, Law, Licenses, Politics and government, Public interest, Radio broadcasting, Radio programs, Reporters and reporting, Telecommunication, Television broadcasting, Television programs, Television stations
Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2642) Bill TextTo ensure broadcast station licenses are utilized to serve the public interest. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Broadcast Licensing in the Public Interest Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require, as a part of broadcast station license renewal, that a station demonstrate it's dedication to civic affairs, local news, local programming, elections, and educational programming for children. Decreases the term of new and renewal licenses from eight to three years.
Latest Action: 06/26/2008 - Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. Bill TextTo provide parity in radio performance rights under title 17, United States Code, and for other purposes. 12/18/2007--Introduced. Performance Rights Act - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) grant performers of sound recordings equal rights to compensation from terrestrial broadcasters; (2) establish a flat annual fee in lieu of payment of royalties for individual terrestrial broadcast stations with gross revenues of less than $1.25 million and for non-commercial, public broadcast stations; (3) grant an exemption from royalty payments for broadcasts of religious services and for incidental uses of musical sound recordings; and (4) grant terrestrial broadcast stations that make limited feature uses of sound recordings a per program license option. Provides that nothing in this Act shall adversely affect the public performance rights or royalties payable to songwriters or copyright owners of musical works.
Latest Action: 07/29/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Bill TextA bill to provide fair compensation to artists for use of their sound recordings. 12/18/2007--Introduced. Performance Rights Act - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) grant performers of sound recordings equal rights to compensation from terrestrial broadcasters; (2) establish a flat annual fee in lieu of payment of royalties for individual terrestrial broadcast stations with gross revenues of less than $1.25 million and for non-commercial, public broadcast stations; (3) grant an exemption from royalty payments for broadcasts of religious services and for incidental uses of musical sound recordings; and (4) grant terrestrial broadcast stations that make limited feature uses of sound recordings a per program license option. Provides that nothing in this Act shall adversely affect the public performance rights or royalties payable to songwriters or copyright owners of musical works.
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Business, Communications, Competition, Executive departments, Federal Communications Commission, Independent regulatory commissions, Law, Licenses, Newspapers, Telecommunication, Television industry, Television stations
Latest Action: 11/14/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Bill TextTo amend the Communications Act of 1934 to reduce restrictions on media ownership, and for other purposes. 11/13/2007--Introduced. Broadcast Ownership for the 21st Century Act - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modify current cross-ownership limitations by eliminating provisions limiting the granting or renewal of an AM or FM radio or television broadcast license to any party on the basis of the ownership, operation, or control of a daily newspaper.
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Business, Communications, Culture, Economic concentration, Executive departments, Federal Communications Commission, Government information, Government publicity, Governmental investigations, Humanities, Independent regulatory commissions, Journalism, Law, Minorities, Minorities in mass media, Minority business enterprises, Newspapers, Radio journalism, Radio programs, Telecommunication, Telecommunication industry, Television programs, Television stations, Women, Women in business
Latest Action: 09/15/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with amendments. With written report No. 110-461. Bill TextA bill to promote transparency in the adoption of new media ownership rules by the Federal Communications Commission, and to establish an independent panel to make recommendations on how to increase the representation of women and minorities in broadcast media ownership. 9/15/2008--Reported to Senate amended. (There is 1 other summary) Media Ownership Act of 2007 - Amends the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in changing any of its regulations related to broadcast ownership, to publish notice in the Federal Register for least 90 days, followed by at least 60 days for public comment, followed by at least 30 days to reply to comments. Applies those requirements to any any changes related to broadcast and newspaper ownership made after October 1, 2007. Requires the FCC, before voting on any change in broadcast and newspaper ownership rules made necessary by the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals [...] show full description
Latest Action: 11/01/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13701) Bill TextA bill to require the FCC to conduct an economic study on the impact that low-power FM stations will have on full-power commercial FM stations. 11/1/2007--Introduced. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to conduct an economic study on the impact that low-power FM stations will have on full-power commercial FM stations and report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
Latest Action: 11/01/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13701-13702) Bill TextA bill to prohibit an applicant from obtaining a low-power FM license if an applicant has engaged in any manner in the unlicensed operation of any station in violation of section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934. 11/1/2007--Introduced. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modify its rules authorizing the operation of low-power FM stations to prohibit any applicant from obtaining a low-power license if the applicant has engaged in any manner in the unlicensed operation of any station.
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