I 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1765 
To provide for the establishment of two nationally distributed video 
programming channels providing language instruction. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 29, 2007 
Mr. BAIRD introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To provide for the establishment of two nationally distributed 
video programming channels providing language instruction. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Access to Language 
Education Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL LANGUAGE INSTRUC-
TION DISTRIBUTION PLAN. 
(a) IMPLEMENTATION PLAN REQUIRED.—Within one 
year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Commerce, acting through the National Telecommuni-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:17 Apr 03, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1765.IH
H1765
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
cations and Information Administration, and after con-
sultation with the Secretary of Education, the Federal 
Communications Commission, the Secretary of State, and 
the Secretary of Defense, shall prepare and submit to each 
House of the Congress a plan for national distribution of 
video programming channels providing language instruc-
tion in accordance with the requirements of this section. 
(b) PLAN REQUIREMENTS.—The plan required by 
this section shall— 
(1) provide for the distribution of two channels 
of video programming providing language instruc-
tion; 
(2) provide that— 
(A) one of such channels— 
(i) shall be composed of programming 
providing instruction in English for non- 
English speaking individuals; and 
(ii) shall be distributed in each tele-
vision market via broadcasting or cable 
and satellite, and distributed nationally via 
Internet delivery; and 
(B) the other such channel— 
(i) shall be composed of programming 
providing instruction in languages that are 
not widely taught in educational institu-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:17 Apr 03, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1765.IH
H1765
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
tions in the United States and that are 
likely to have significant value for the 
United States in global competitiveness, 
trade, international relations, national se-
curity, and defense; and 
(ii) shall be distributed nationally via 
Internet delivery; and 
(3) identify— 
(A) the participants to be engaged in— 
(i) producing and evaluating the in-
structional programming; and 
(ii) broadcasting or otherwise distrib-
uting the programming in each market; 
and 
(B) the methods by which such partici-
pants will be engaged and compensated for 
their participation; 
(4) evaluate the costs, and methods for funding 
the costs, of providing and distributing such instruc-
tional programming; and 
(5) recommend any legislative or regulatory 
changes required to implement the plan. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to develop, submit, and 
implement the plan required by this section, such sums 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:17 Apr 03, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1765.IH
H1765
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 each of the 3 
succeeding fiscal years. 
Æ 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
03:17 Apr 03, 2007
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H1765.IH
H1765
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with BILLS