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Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act

USA117th CongressHR-4208| House 
| Updated: 6/29/2021
Bill Pascrell

Bill Pascrell

Democratic Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (2)
Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Albio Sires (Democratic)

Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce 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. The Government Accountability Office must examine and report on the process used by the Federal Communications Commission for renewing broadcast television licenses to determine if that process meets specified obligations. In particular, the GAO must review how the process relates to television broadcast stations with specific obligations to serve the needs of their local communities.
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Timeline
Jun 24, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-2220
Introduced in Senate
Jun 28, 2021
Introduced in House
Jun 28, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jun 29, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
  • June 24, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-2220
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 28, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • June 28, 2021
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • June 29, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • S 117-2220: Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act

Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act

USA117th CongressHR-4208| House 
| Updated: 6/29/2021
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. The Government Accountability Office must examine and report on the process used by the Federal Communications Commission for renewing broadcast television licenses to determine if that process meets specified obligations. In particular, the GAO must review how the process relates to television broadcast stations with specific obligations to serve the needs of their local communities.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jun 24, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 117-2220
Introduced in Senate
Jun 28, 2021
Introduced in House
Jun 28, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jun 29, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
  • June 24, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 117-2220
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 28, 2021
    Introduced in House


  • June 28, 2021
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.


  • June 29, 2021
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Bill Pascrell

Bill Pascrell

Democratic Representative

New Jersey

Cosponsors (2)
Jefferson Van Drew (Republican)Albio Sires (Democratic)

Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • S 117-2220: Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted