Legis Daily

Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act

USA116th CongressS-941| Senate 
| Updated: 3/28/2019
Robert Menendez

Robert Menendez

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (1)
Cory A. Booker (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act This bill specifies that certain service obligations owed by the licensee of a commercial television broadcast station apply regardless of the broadcast frequency used by the licensee. Specifically, the bill provides that a licensee making a change from a very high frequency (VHF) broadcast station to an ultrahigh frequency (UHF) broadcast station must ensure the change does not affect its obligation to provide service to its customers. The bill also requires such a licensee to (1) broadcast at least 14 hours of common local programming per week, (2) include a substantial amount of particularized local content, and (3) maintain a studio in the station's community. The bill further provides for the reallocation of a station to a community where there is no VHF or UHF station.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 28, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Mar 28, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • March 28, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 28, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Science, Technology, Communications

Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Licensing and registrationsNews media and reportingRadio spectrum allocationTelevision and film

Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act

USA116th CongressS-941| Senate 
| Updated: 3/28/2019
Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act This bill specifies that certain service obligations owed by the licensee of a commercial television broadcast station apply regardless of the broadcast frequency used by the licensee. Specifically, the bill provides that a licensee making a change from a very high frequency (VHF) broadcast station to an ultrahigh frequency (UHF) broadcast station must ensure the change does not affect its obligation to provide service to its customers. The bill also requires such a licensee to (1) broadcast at least 14 hours of common local programming per week, (2) include a substantial amount of particularized local content, and (3) maintain a studio in the station's community. The bill further provides for the reallocation of a station to a community where there is no VHF or UHF station.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Mar 28, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Mar 28, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • March 28, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 28, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Robert Menendez

Robert Menendez

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (1)
Cory A. Booker (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Licensing and registrationsNews media and reportingRadio spectrum allocationTelevision and film