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Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act

USA117th CongressS-2220| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2021
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. 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

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-941
Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act
Jun 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jun 29, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-4208
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-941
    Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act


  • June 24, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • June 29, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-4208
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 117-4208: Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act

Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act

USA117th CongressS-2220| Senate 
| Updated: 6/24/2021
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

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-941
Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act
Jun 24, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Jun 24, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jun 29, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-4208
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-941
    Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act


  • June 24, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 24, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • June 29, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-4208
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Robert Menendez

Robert Menendez

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (1)
Cory A. Booker (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 117-4208: Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted