broadcasting facilities in order to achieve the following ob-
jectives:
‘‘(1) extend delivery of public broadcasting serv-
ices to as many citizens of the United States as pos-
sible by the most efficient and economical means, in-
cluding broadcast, fiber optic cable, coaxial cable,
satellite systems, and microwave systems;
‘‘(2) increase public broadcasting services and
facilities available to, operated by, and owned by mi-
norities and women; and
‘‘(3) strengthen the capability of existing public
broadcasting entities to provide public broadcasting
services to the public.
‘‘SEC. 122. GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION.
‘‘(a) APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS.—Any eligible ap-
plicant (as described in paragraph (1)) desiring to obtain
a grant under this part for the construction of public
broadcasting facilities shall submit to the Secretary an ap-
plication containing such information with respect to the
proposed construction project as the Secretary may re-
quire, including the total cost of such project and the
amount of the grant requested for such project. Each ap-
plicant shall also provide assurances satisfactory to the
Secretary that—
‘‘(1) the applicant is—
‘‘(A) a public broadcast station;
‘‘(B) a system of public broadcasting enti-
ties;
‘‘(C) a nonprofit foundation, corporation,
institution, or association organized primarily
for educational or cultural purposes; or
‘‘(D) a State or local government (or any
agency thereof), or a political or special purpose
subdivision of a State;
‘‘(2) the operation of such public broadcasting
facilities will be under the control of the applicant;
‘‘(3) necessary funds to construct, operate, and
maintain such public broadcasting facilities will be
available when needed;
‘‘(4) such public broadcasting facilities will be
used primarily for the provision of public broadcast-
ing services, and the use of such public broadcasting
facilities for purposes other than the provision of
public broadcasting services will not interfere with
the provision of such public broadcasting services as
required in this part;
‘‘(5) the applicant has participated in com-
prehensive planning for such public broadcasting fa-
cilities in the area which the applicant proposes to
serve, and such planning has included an evaluation
of alternate technologies and coordination with State
educational television and radio agencies, as appro-
priate; and
‘‘(6) the applicant will use the grant efficiently
and effectively.
‘‘(b) AMOUNT OF GRANT.—Upon approving any ap-
plication under this section with respect to any project for
the construction of public broadcasting facilities, the Sec-
retary shall make a grant to the applicant in an amount
determined by the Secretary, except that such amount
shall not exceed 75 percent of the amount determined by
the Secretary to be the reasonable and necessary cost of
such project. The Secretary may provide such funds as
the Secretary deems necessary for the planning of any
project for which construction funds may be obtained
under this section.
‘‘(c) PLANNING GRANTS.—
‘‘(1) INFORMATION AND ASSURANCES.—An ap-
plicant for a planning grant shall provide such infor-
mation with respect to such project as the Secretary
may require and shall provide assurances satisfac-
tory to the Secretary that the applicant meets the
eligibility requirements of subsection (a) to receive
construction assistance.
‘‘(2) STUDIES.—Any studies conducted by or
for any grant recipient under this subsection shall be
provided to the Secretary, if such studies are con-
ducted through the use of funds received under this
section.
‘‘(d) REGULATIONS; PRIORITIES.—The Secretary
shall establish such regulations as may be necessary to
carry out this part, including regulations relating to the
order of priority in approving applications for construction
or planning projects and relating to determining the
amount of each grant.
‘‘(e) SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.—In establishing cri-
teria for grants pursuant to this section, and in establish-
ing procedures relating to the order of priority established
under subsection (d) in approving applications for grants,
the Secretary shall give special consideration to applica-
tions which would increase participation by minorities,
women, and populations traditionally underserved in the
ownership and operation of public broadcasting entities.
The Secretary shall take affirmative steps to inform mi-
norities, women, and underserved populations of the avail-
ability of funds under this part, and the localities where
new public broadcasting facilities are needed, and to pro-
vide such other assistance and information as may be ap-
propriate.