SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Preparing America’s Seniors for the Digital Transition 
Act of 2007’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings. 
Sec. 3. DTV educational partnership to benefit older individuals. 
Sec. 4. Provisions relating to forfeitures. 
Sec. 5. Digital television transition public education outreach and installation 
assistance grants program. 
Sec. 6. Modification of the digital-to-analog converter box program. 
Sec. 7. Reporting requirements. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds that— 
(1) on February 17, 2009, television stations 
will cease broadcasting analog signals and tradi-
tional analog televisions will stop working unless 
they are connected to a digital-to-analog converter 
box, cable, or satellite; 
(2) a study conducted by the National Associa-
tion of Broadcasters revealed that over half of the 
respondents had ‘‘seen, read, or heard nothing’’ 
about the transition to digital television, and only 10 
percent were able to guess that the transition would 
occur in 2009; 
(3) according to a July 2007 study released by 
the Association of Public Television Stations, older 
individuals— 
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(A) over the age of 65 are more likely to 
be found in over-the-air households and are, 
therefore, a much more vulnerable group with 
respect to maintaining television service as the 
digital transition is completed; 
(B) as a group, are less likely to have pur-
chased a new television in the past 3 years, are 
less likely to have HDTV capabilities in their 
households, and are less likely to own a digital 
television; 
(C) will not have the same exposure to dig-
ital television transition messages from elec-
tronic retailers as will younger members of the 
population; and 
(D) will need special focus in efforts to 
educate the public with respect to the transition 
from analog to digital television; 
(4) according to a Nielsen Media Research re-
port, approximately 20,000,000 households rely ex-
clusively on analog or free over-the-air broadcasts; 
(5) of these 20,000,000 households, approxi-
mately 8,000,000 include at least 1 person over the 
age of 50, according to the Nielsen Media Research 
TV Household Estimates; 
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(6) according to the General Accountability Of-
fice, about 48 percent of over-the-air households 
have incomes under $30,000; 
(7) frail, homebound, rural, minority, disabled, 
limited English proficient, and low-income older in-
dividuals will need specific guidance and assistance 
in order to purchase and properly install a digital- 
to-analog converter box; 
(8) without a targeted outreach program resi-
dents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities 
represent a segment of the population at risk for los-
ing television service as a result of the digital transi-
tion; 
(9) failure to seamlessly transition from analog 
to digital television will restrict or eliminate the ac-
cess of older individuals to essential preparedness 
and safety information in the event of an emergency 
or disaster, as such individuals will be unable to re-
ceive national and local alerts aired over television; 
(10) it is now 6 years after the communication 
failures of September 11, 2001, which spurred Fed-
eral Government adoption of a firm digital television 
transition date; 
(11) unfortunately the Department of Com-
merce and the Federal Communications Commission 
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have not adequately assured Congress that vulner-
able households will be properly educated and pre-
pared for such transition; and 
(12) older individuals, their families, caregivers, 
and aging support networks will need targeted out-
reach to inform them of steps to take in order to en-
sure uninterrupted television service and to help 
mitigate potential digital television transition scams 
that may target the elderly. 
SEC. 3. DTV EDUCATIONAL PARTNERSHIP TO BENEFIT 
OLDER INDIVIDUALS. 
Part I of title III of the Communications Act of 1934 
(47 U.S.C. 301 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 342. FEDERAL INTERAGENCY TASKFORCE TO EDU-
CATE OLDER INDIVIDUALS ON THE DTV 
TRANSITION OF 2009. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Chairman and Com-
missioners of the Federal Communications Commis-
sion shall enter into a partnership with the Adminis-
tration on Aging and the National Telecommuni-
cations and Information Administration, to create a 
comprehensive public education campaign that pro-
vides information and assistance to older individuals, 
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their families, caregivers, and aging support net-
works about measures that may be taken— 
‘‘(A) to ensure that such older individuals 
receive uninterrupted television service during 
the transition from analog to digital television 
that is to occur on February 17, 2009; and 
‘‘(B) to mitigate the likelihood of success 
of fraudulent schemes relating to such transi-
tion that may target such older individuals. 
‘‘(2) ACCESS TO RESOURCES.—In carrying out 
the educational campaign required under paragraph 
(1), the Federal interagency taskforce established 
under such paragraph shall utilize existing resources 
and efforts of the Federal, State, and local govern-
ments, industry, and other appropriate entities. 
‘‘(3) TIMING.—The educational campaign re-
quired under paragraph (1) shall commence not 
later than January 1, 2008 or 60 days after the 
date of enactment of this section. 
‘‘(b) ADVISORY BOARD.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission, the Ad-
ministration on Aging, and the National Tele-
communications and Information Administration 
shall establish an advisory board to recommend to 
the Federal interagency task force established under 
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subsection (a) the type, manner, and content of the 
information to be used as part of the educational 
campaign required under such subsection. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The advisory board estab-
lished under paragraph (1) shall consist of 2 des-
ignees each from the Commission, the Administra-
tion on Aging, and the National Telecommunications 
and Information Administration and no more than 
30 additional members, which shall include— 
‘‘(A) representatives from the aging net-
work, as such term is defined in section 102 of 
the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 
3002), such as the National Association of Area 
Agencies on Aging, Meals on Wheels Associa-
tion of America, and National Association of 
State Units on Aging; 
‘‘(B) representatives from the entity or en-
tities that the Assistant Secretary for Commu-
nications and Information selects or assigns to 
administer the digital-to-analog converter box 
program required under section 3005(c)(2)(A) 
of the Digital Television Transition and Public 
Safety Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–171; 120 
Stat. 23); 
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‘‘(C) representatives from the associations 
of industry and related stakeholder groups to 
include— 
‘‘(i) commercial and noncommercial 
broadcasters; 
‘‘(ii) manufacturers and retailers of 
consumer electronics equipment; 
‘‘(iii) cable operators; and 
‘‘(iv) satellite providers; 
‘‘(D) State, local, and tribal governments, 
such as the National Association of Tele-
communications Officers and Advisors and the 
National Governors Association; 
‘‘(E) members from the general public who 
have expertise in consumer education and out-
reach; 
‘‘(F) older individuals; 
‘‘(G) representatives from— 
‘‘(i) minority groups, including His-
panic Americans; 
‘‘(ii) Americans whose primary lan-
guage is not English; 
‘‘(iii) tribal groups; 
‘‘(iv) Americans with disabilities; 
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‘‘(v) Americans living in rural commu-
nities; 
‘‘(vi) nursing homes and assisted liv-
ing facilities; and 
‘‘(vii) consumer protection groups; 
and 
‘‘(H) representatives from low-income as-
sistance program providers. 
‘‘(3) APPOINTMENT.—Not later than 30 days 
after the date of enactment of this section, the Com-
mission, the Administration on Aging, and the Na-
tional Telecommunications and Information Admin-
istration shall appoint each member of the advisory 
board. 
‘‘(4) CHAIRMAN.—The members of the Advisory 
Board shall elect 1 member to serve as Chairman 
within 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
section, in order to facilitate rapid creation and im-
plementation of the Advisory Board. 
‘‘(c) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Federal interagency 
taskforce established under subsection (a) shall 
carry out a nationwide program with the assistance 
of the advisory board established under subsection 
(b) that includes, at a minimum— 
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‘‘(A) an easily comprehensible explanation 
of the digital television transition, including— 
‘‘(i) the effective date of such transi-
tion; and 
‘‘(ii) who is affected by such transi-
tion; 
‘‘(B) the public safety and emergency pre-
paredness concerns the transition will address, 
such as the Digital Emergency Alert System 
and reverse 911, and the potential public safety 
hazards to older individuals of not successfully 
transitioning to digital television; 
‘‘(C) instructions to determine whether a 
television will receive a digital signal and, if not, 
the options to ensure reception of a digital sig-
nal and the related costs; 
‘‘(D) information related to the digital-to- 
analog converter box coupon program, eligible 
versus noneligible converter boxes, certified re-
tailers, and important associated deadlines; and 
‘‘(E) tips on how to avoid potential fraudu-
lent schemes related to the digital television 
transition that may target older individuals. 
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‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL DUTIES.—The Federal inter-
agency taskforce established under subsection (a) 
shall— 
‘‘(A) examine ways to simplify the pur-
chasing and installing of a digital-to-analog 
converter box for older individuals and take into 
consideration the unique needs of frail, home-
bound, minority, disabled, limited English pro-
ficient, rural, and low-income older individuals, 
as well as residents of nursing homes and as-
sisted living facilities; 
‘‘(B) consult with and seek assistance from 
the Commission’s Homeland Security and Pub-
lic Safety Bureau; 
‘‘(C) establish specific and realistic bench-
marks for identifying the estimated reach of the 
public education campaign required under this 
section to older individuals, their families, care-
givers, and aging support networks; 
‘‘(D) coordinate with stakeholder to prop-
erly implement the comprehensive education 
campaign; 
‘‘(E) provide, at no cost, to non profit enti-
ties such as entities within the aging network 
consumer education materials and technical as-
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sistance regarding the transition from analog to 
digital television that is to occur on February 
17, 2009; and 
‘‘(F) specifically analyze the impact of the 
transition from analog to digital television on 
the residents of non profit nursing homes and 
assisted living facilities. 
‘‘(d) REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this section, the Com-
missioner, the Assistant Secretary for Aging, and 
the Assistant Secretary for Communications and In-
formation shall submit a report to Congress on— 
‘‘(A) the ability of the Federal interagency 
taskforce to meet the requirements and duties 
described under subsection (c); and 
‘‘(B) that summarizes each agency’s ef-
forts to increase consumer education and 
awareness about the transition from analog to 
digital television among older individuals, as 
well as that agency’s efforts to coordinate with 
the other Federal and non-Federal members of 
the taskforce and the advisory board. 
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‘‘(2) CONTENT
OF
REPORT.—The report re-
quired under paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, 
also include the following: 
‘‘(A) 
How 
the 
Federal 
interagency 
taskforce will meet the specific benchmarks es-
tablished under subsection (c)(2)(C) to ensure 
that older individuals who rely on over-the-air 
broadcasting are not left without television serv-
ice after February 17, 2009. 
‘‘(B) 
How 
the 
Federal 
interagency 
taskforce will address the unique needs of frail, 
homebound, disabled, minority, rural, limited 
English proficiency and low-income older indi-
viduals, as well as residents of nursing homes 
and assisted living facilities, all of whom will 
need specific guidance and assistance in order 
to purchase and install a digital-to-analog con-
verter box through the National Telecommuni-
cations and Information Administration’s Dig-
ital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program 
without any undue burden. 
‘‘(C) 
How 
the 
Federal 
interagency 
taskforce will provide guidance and technical 
assistance to the families, caregivers, and aging 
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support networks of these vulnerable older indi-
viduals. 
‘‘(D) 
How 
the 
Federal 
interagency 
taskforce will mitigate potential scams that may 
target the elderly throughout the course of the 
National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration’s Digital-to-Analog Converter 
Box Coupon Program. 
‘‘(E) 
How 
the 
Federal 
interagency 
taskforce will coordinate between State, local, 
and tribal governments and the head of each 
Federal agency overseeing a low-income assist-
ance program, such as the Supplemental Secu-
rity Income Program, the Low Income Home 
Energy Assistance Program, the Lifeline Assist-
ance, and Link Up America programs, to en-
sure that such programs disseminate informa-
tion about the transition from analog to digital 
television to their program recipients. 
‘‘(F) What resources will be necessary to 
provide outreach and assistance at the commu-
nity level and how the taskforce will prioritize 
such resources. 
‘‘(3) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 3 months 
before February 17, 2009, the Commissioner, Assist-
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ant Secretary for Aging, and the Assistant Secretary 
for Communications and Information shall submit a 
report to Congress that describes— 
‘‘(A) the level of outreach and success 
achieved by the education campaign required 
under subsection (a); and 
‘‘(B) the necessary remaining steps that 
must be taken in order to ensure that older in-
dividuals who rely on over-the-air broadcasting 
are not left without television service after Feb-
ruary 17, 2009. 
‘‘(e) DEFINITION OF OLDER INDIVIDUAL.—For pur-
poses of this section, the term ‘older individual’ means an 
individual who is 50 years of age or older. 
‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal inter-
agency taskforce established under subsection (a) such 
sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this 
section in addition to— 
‘‘(1) amounts transferred pursuant to section 
344(c)(5) of this Act; and 
‘‘(2) amounts transferred pursuant to section 
503(b)(7) of this Act. 
‘‘(g) RETURN OF UNEXPENDED FUNDS.—Upon ter-
mination of the Federal interagency taskforce, any unex-
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pended funds shall be paid back to the original source of 
such funds, including to the general accounts of the Fed-
eral Communications Commission held at the Treasury for 
any amounts deposited in the fund pursuant to para-
graphs (1) or (2) of subsection (f). 
‘‘SEC. 343. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THE 
DTV TRANSITION. 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENTS ON BROADCASTERS.— 
‘‘(1) PSAS.—Beginning on the date of enact-
ment of this section and ending on March 31, 2009, 
the Commission shall require each full power com-
mercial television broadcast licensee or permittee to 
broadcast during each day between the hours of 6 
a.m. and 11 p.m., public service announcements no-
tifying the public, in particular older individuals and 
their families, caregivers, and aging support net-
works, of the transition from analog to digital tele-
vision that is to occur after February 17, 2009. 
‘‘(2) TIME
REQUIREMENTS
AND
TOTAL
RUN-
NING TIME.—Based on the overall concentration of 
over-the-air households by State and locality, broad-
casters shall air a minimum of 60 seconds of public 
service announcements per day at variable time slots 
throughout the week, with half airing between 5 
p.m. and 11 p.m. 
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‘‘(3) REQUIRED CONTENT.—Any public service 
announcement broadcast after January 1, 2008, 
shall include— 
‘‘(A) information concerning the digital-to- 
analog converter box program required under 
section 3005 of the Digital Television Transi-
tion and Public Safety Act of 2005 (Public Law 
109–171; 120 Stat. 23); 
‘‘(B) such additional consumer information 
as the Federal interagency taskforce may rec-
ommend based on input from the advisory com-
mittee established under section 342; and 
‘‘(C) such additional information as local 
broadcasters may determine necessary to appro-
priately educate their viewers about the transi-
tion from analog to digital television. 
‘‘(4) CONSUMER EDUCATION PLANS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than Janu-
ary 1, 2008, or 30 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act if this Act is enacted after 
such date, each full power commercial television 
broadcast licensee or permittee shall have in 
place a comprehensive consumer education plan 
to inform local viewers about the impending the 
transition from analog to digital television 
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based on the overall concentration of over-the- 
air households by State and locality. 
‘‘(B) PROGRAMS.—Programs carried out 
under the plan required by subparagraph (A) 
may include educational programming, donut 
spots, crawls, and speaking events. 
‘‘(5) PERIODIC REPORTS TO THE FCC.— 
‘‘(A) COMMERCIAL
BROADCASTERS.—Not 
later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this section, and every 90 days thereafter 
until March 31, 2009, each commercial tele-
vision broadcast licensee or permittee shall sub-
mit a report to the Commission detailing their 
efforts to comply with the requirements of this 
subsection. 
‘‘(B) NON COMMERCIAL BROADCASTERS.— 
Not later than June 18, 2008 the Corporation 
for Public Broadcasting, as defined in section 
397(2) shall submit a report to the Commission 
on behalf of television public broadcast sta-
tions— 
‘‘(i) detailing the activities of the pub-
lic television industry in educating the pub-
lic about the digital transition; and 
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‘‘(ii) including information relating 
to— 
‘‘(I) airtime allocated towards 
consumer education; and 
‘‘(II) other outreach efforts. 
‘‘(C) PUBLIC
AVAILABILITY.—The Com-
mission shall make any report required under 
subparagraph (A) or (B) available to the public 
on the Internet, without fee or other access 
charge, in a searchable and downloadable man-
ner. 
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS ON MVPD.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 
2008, or 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act if this Act is enacted after such date, each mul-
tichannel video programming distributor (as defined 
in section 602) shall develop a plan to notify sub-
scribers about the transition from analog to digital 
television that is to occur on February 17, 2009. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS OF PLAN.—The plan re-
quired under paragraph (1) shall explain— 
‘‘(A) what the digital transition is; 
‘‘(B) how the transition will affect sub-
scribers of the multichannel video programming 
distributor; and 
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‘‘(C) such additional information as multi-
channel video programming distributors may 
determine necessary to appropriately educate 
their viewers about the transition from analog 
to digital television. 
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRONICS RETAILERS 
AND DISTRIBUTORS OF CONVERTER BOXES.— 
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENTS FOR MANUFACTURERS OF 
CONVERTER BOXES.—The manufacturer of any dig-
ital-to-analog converter box that is eligible to be ob-
tained using a redeemable Federal coupon and that 
is manufactured in the United States or shipped in 
interstate commerce shall— 
‘‘(A) place an appropriate label on the re-
tail packaging of the converter box; and 
‘‘(B) maintain a toll-free 1–800 number 
that customers can call to obtain installation 
assistance. 
‘‘(2) LABEL REQUIREMENT.—For purposes of 
paragraph (1), an appropriate label is a label that 
meets the following requirements: 
‘‘(A) The label is displayed— 
‘‘(i) in a clear and conspicuous man-
ner; and 
‘‘(ii) in large and visible font. 
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‘‘(B) The label informs the consumer that 
the converter box is fully compliant with all 
Federal standards relating to the eligibility of 
that converter box to be used with the Federal 
coupon program described under section 3005 
of the Digital Television Transition and Public 
Safety Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–171; 120 
Stat. 23). The information required to be in-
cluded on a label under this subparagraph may 
be conveyed by affixing the following phrase to 
the label: ‘NTIA Coupon-Eligible’. 
‘‘(3) REQUIREMENTS
FOR
IN-STORE
RETAIL-
ERS.—Each in-store retailer shall place adjacent to 
digital-to-analog converter boxes that such retailer 
displays for sale or rent, a separate sign that identi-
fies which converter boxes are ‘NTIA Coupon-Eligi-
ble’. 
‘‘(4) REQUIREMENTS
FOR
OTHER
RETAIL-
ERS.—Any retailer of digital-to-analog converter 
boxes that sells such converter boxes via direct mail, 
catalog, or electronic means, shall ensure that all ad-
vertisements or descriptions of such converter box 
identifies whether or not such converter box is 
‘NTIA Coupon-Eligible’. 
‘‘(5) PENALTIES.— 
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‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The forfeiture pen-
alties established by section 503(b) shall apply 
to a violation of any requirement under this 
section. 
‘‘(B) TRANSFER
TO
FEDERAL
INTER-
AGENCY TASKFORCE.—The amount of any for-
feiture penalty determined, imposed, or other-
wise assessed by the Commission for violations 
of this section shall be transferred to the ac-
counts of the Federal interagency taskforce es-
tablished pursuant to section 342. 
‘‘(d) REPORT OF CERTIFIED RETAILERS.—The Na-
tional Telecommunications and Information Administra-
tion shall require— 
‘‘(1) each retailer certified by the Administra-
tion to participate in the digital-to-analog converter 
box coupon program under section 3005 of the Dig-
ital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 
2005 (Public Law 109–171; 120 Stat. 23); and 
‘‘(2) not later than 30 days after certification, 
each such retailer to report to the Administration on 
their employee training or consumer information 
plans regarding the transition from analog to digital 
television that is to occur on February 17, 2009. 
‘‘(e) REPORT OF OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
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‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this section, the head 
of each Federal agency that oversees a low-income 
assistance program, as determined by the Federal 
interagency taskforce, and including the Supple-
mental Security Income Program, the Low-Income 
Home Energy Assistance Program, shall report to 
the Commission on how such agency or program will 
work with the Federal interagency taskforce estab-
lished under section 342 to ensure coordinated ef-
forts are made to disseminate consumer education 
materials developed under such section on the tran-
sition from analog to digital television to eligible pro-
gram participants. 
‘‘(2) REQUIRED
CONTENT.—The report re-
quired under paragraph (1) should affirm each Fed-
eral agency’s commitment to assist with the nation-
wide transition from analog to digital television. 
‘‘(f) DEFINITION OF OLDER INDIVIDUAL.—For pur-
poses of this section, the term ‘older individual’ means an 
individual who is 50 years of age or older.’’. 
SEC. 4. PROVISIONS RELATING TO FORFEITURES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 503(b) of the Commu-
nications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 503(b)) is amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(7) Beginning on the date of enactment of this 
paragraph and ending on February 17, 2009, the 
amount of any forfeiture penalty determined, im-
posed, or otherwise assessed by the Commission, and 
payable into the Treasury of the United States, for 
violations of the point of sale disclosure require-
ments for analog-only television equipment as de-
scribed in the Second Periodic Review of the Com-
mission’s Rules and Policies Affecting the Conver-
sion To Digital Television (MB Docket No. 03–15; 
RM–9832; adopted April 25, 2007) during such pe-
riod shall be transferred to the accounts of the Fed-
eral interagency taskforce established pursuant to 
section 342.’’. 
(b) FUTURE RULEMAKINGS RELATED TO DIGITAL 
TELEVISION TRANSITION.—The Federal Communications 
Commission shall in any future rulemaking related to the 
nationwide transition from analog to digital television that 
is to occur on February 17, 2009, ensure that any pro-
posed forfeiture penalty for violation of such rule is trans-
ferred to the accounts of the Federal interagency taskforce 
established pursuant to section 343 of the Communica-
tions Act of 1934 (as added under section 3 of this Act). 
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SEC. 5. DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION PUBLIC EDU-
CATION OUTREACH AND INSTALLATION AS-
SISTANCE GRANTS PROGRAM. 
(a) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.— 
(1) GRANTS.—The Federal Communications 
Commission shall award grants, on a competitive 
basis, to eligible entities to— 
(A) provide public education outreach 
about the digital television transition taking 
place on February 17, 2009 to vulnerable popu-
lations particularly at risk for losing television 
reception as a result of the digital television 
transition; and 
(B) provide assistance with the purchasing 
and installation of digital-to-analog converter 
boxes to vulnerable populations particularly at 
risk for losing television reception as a result of 
the digital television transition. 
(2) GRANT
PERIODS.—The Commission shall 
award grants under this section for a period of up 
to 3 years. 
(b) APPLICATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to receive a 
grant under this section, an entity shall submit an 
application to the Commission at such time, in such 
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manner, and containing such information as the 
Commission may require. 
(2) ACTION.—The Commission shall take such 
action necessary to award grants not later than 90 
days after the date of enactment of this section. 
(c) PREFERENCE.—The Commission shall give pri-
ority in awarding grants under this section to an entity 
that— 
(1) will provide public education outreach and 
installation assistance to older individuals and other 
vulnerable populations (with particular attention to 
individuals with disabilities, individuals with limited 
English proficiency, individuals residing in rural 
areas, minorities, and low-income communities); 
(2) has demonstrated experience in providing 
outreach and assistance to older individuals and 
other vulnerable populations; and 
(3) can demonstrate the ability and commit-
ment to identifying, after February 17, 2009, the 
date of the transition, those households that may 
have lost television reception and can aid in rein-
stating television reception for such households. 
(d) PARTNERSHIPS.—In awarding grants under this 
section, the Commission may encourage applicants to 
enter into a partnership with 1 or more private entities 
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who may assist with training or providing donated tech-
nologies including digital televisions or digital-to-analog 
converter boxes. 
(e) USE OF FUNDS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity shall use 
funds made available under a grant awarded under 
this section to— 
(A) carry out a project described in sub-
section (a); and 
(B) evaluate the project in accordance with 
subsection (h). 
(2) 
RELATIONSHIP
TO
OTHER
FUNDING 
SOURCES.—Funds made available under this section 
shall supplement, and not supplant, any Federal, 
State, and local funds expended by a State or unit 
of general purpose local government to provide the 
services described in subsection (a). 
(f) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—An entity eligible to receive 
a grant under subsection (a) shall be— 
(1) a nonprofit organization, an area agency on 
aging or other local government agency, a State unit 
on aging or other State government agency, and a 
tribal government or organization (including a con-
sortium thereof) that— 
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(A) has the ability to conduct the coordina-
tion, promotion, and facilitation described in 
subsection (a); and 
(B) has experience providing outreach and 
assistance targeted at older individuals and 
other vulnerable populations (with particular at-
tention to individuals with disabilities, individ-
uals with limited English proficiency, individ-
uals residing in rural areas, minorities, and low- 
income communities); or 
(2) any other entity not described in paragraph 
(1) that— 
(A) the Commission determines to be ap-
propriate to carry out a project under sub-
section (a); and 
(B) demonstrates experience conducting 
public education outreach campaigns and pro-
viding assistance targeted at older individuals 
and other vulnerable populations. 
(g) COMPETITIVE GRANTS FOR TECHNICAL ASSIST-
ANCE.—The Commission may make a grant, on a competi-
tive basis, to an eligible nonprofit organization, to enable 
the organization to— 
(1) provide technical assistance to recipients of 
grants under subsection (a); and 
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(2) carry out other duties, as determined by the 
Commission. 
(h) LOCAL EVALUATION AND REPORT.— 
(1) EVALUATION.—Each entity or consortium 
thereof receiving a grant under subsection (a) to 
carry out a project described in subsection (a) shall 
evaluate the outreach and assistance carried out 
under the project to determine— 
(A) the effectiveness of the outreach and 
assistance involved; and 
(B) the impact of such outreach and as-
sistance on the community being served and the 
organization providing the outreach and assist-
ance. 
(2) REPORT.—The organization shall submit a 
report to the Commission containing the evaluation 
not later than 3 months after the expiration of the 
period for which the grant is in effect. 
(i) ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 
60 days after the close of fiscal year 2008 and fiscal year 
2009, the Commission shall prepare and submit a full and 
complete report to Congress on the activities carried out 
under this section which shall— 
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(1) summarize the distribution of funds author-
ized for grants under this section and the expendi-
ture of such funds; 
(2) summarize the scope and content of the 
public education outreach campaigns and assistance 
carried out under this section; and 
(3) make recommendations for legislative or ad-
ministrative action, as the Commission determines 
appropriate. 
(j) FINAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 
60 days after the close of fiscal year 2010 the Commission 
shall prepare and submit a full and complete report to 
Congress on the activities carried out under this section 
which shall— 
(1) summarize the distribution of funds author-
ized for grants under this section and the expendi-
ture of such funds; 
(2) summarize the scope and content of the 
public education outreach campaigns and assistance 
carried out under this section; 
(3) summarize findings from the reports con-
taining the evaluations from subsection (h)(2); and 
(4) make recommendations for legislative or ad-
ministrative action, as the Commission determines 
appropriate. 
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(k) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary 
to carry out this section for fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 
2010. 
SEC. 6. MODIFICATION OF THE DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CON-
VERTER BOX PROGRAM. 
Section 3005(c) of the Digital Television Transition 
and Public Safety Act of 2005 (Public Law 109–171; 120 
Stat. 23) is amended— 
(1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) PROCUREMENT OF COUPONS.— 
‘‘(i) SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION.— 
Not later than December 31, 2007, the As-
sistant Secretary shall by regulation de-
velop and produce a standard application 
that each household shall submit to the As-
sistant Secretary between January 1, 
2008, and March 31, 2009, inclusive, in 
order to obtain a coupon that can be ap-
plied toward the purchase of a digital-to- 
analog converter box. 
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‘‘(ii) REQUIREMENT
FOR
APPLICA-
TIONS.—The application developed under 
clause (i) shall— 
‘‘(I) be uniform in style and form 
regardless of the medium through 
which it is available, including for 
printed applications, application avail-
able by e-mail, or available on the 
website of the Assistant Secretary or 
of the Federal Communications Com-
mission; 
‘‘(II) require each household to 
submit— 
‘‘(aa) the name, address, 
phone number, and e-mail ad-
dress of the applicant; 
‘‘(bb) the number of coupons 
that the household seeks to ob-
tain; 
‘‘(cc) 
a 
certification 
of 
whether the household receives— 
‘‘(AA) only over-the-air 
broadcast programming; or 
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‘‘(BB) cable or satellite 
service 
and 
over-the-air 
broadcast programming; 
‘‘(III) inform households about— 
‘‘(aa) the transition from 
analog to digital television, in-
cluding information on the— 
‘‘(AA) digital-to-analog 
converter box coupon pro-
gram; and 
‘‘(BB) important asso-
ciated deadlines; and 
‘‘(bb) the various options 
and alternatives that households 
may utilize to ensure reception of 
a digital signal, including that if 
the household— 
‘‘(AA) has an analog 
television set and receives 
only over-the-air broadcast 
programming that a digital- 
to-analog converter box is 
required; 
‘‘(BB) has a digital tel-
evision set and receives only 
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over-the-air broadcast pro-
gramming that a digital-to- 
analog converter box is not 
required; and 
‘‘(CC) has either an 
analog or digital television 
set and receives cable or sat-
ellite service that a digital- 
to-analog converter box is 
not required. 
‘‘(iii) SHIPPING
OF
COUPONS.—The 
Assistant Secretary shall ensure that each 
household that submits an application for 
a coupon under this subparagraph receives 
such coupon via the United States Postal 
Service. 
‘‘(iv) DURATION
OF
COUPONS.—All 
coupons shall expire 4 months after 
issuance. 
‘‘(v) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—For 
purposes of this paragraph, the term 
‘household’ shall include residents of nurs-
ing homes and assisted living facilities.’’; 
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as fol-
lows: 
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‘‘(iii) digital-to-analog converter boxes 
that are eligible to be purchased with a 
coupon. 
‘‘(E) PROHIBITION
ON
RESALE
OF
COU-
PONS.—No person, including any retailer or 
manufacturer, may sell or offer to sell a coupon 
distributed under this section for any monetary 
amount.’’. 
SEC. 7. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) REPORT
BY
THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNI-
CATIONS
AND
INFORMATION
ADMINISTRATION.—Not 
later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
and every 90 days thereafter until March 31, 2009, the 
National Telecommunications and Information Adminis-
tration shall report to Congress on the following: 
(1) CONSUMER EDUCATION EFFORTS.—The ef-
fectiveness of its outreach efforts to inform the pub-
lic about the transition from analog to digital tele-
vision, including a summary of any materials distrib-
uted, surveys and focus groups conducted, and any 
other efforts targeted at high-risk market segments, 
such as low-income individuals, the elderly, or indi-
viduals located in rural communities. The ongoing 
efforts and coordination of the Administration with 
industry groups (such as broadcasters, retailers, and 
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manufacturers), other Federal agencies, nonprofit 
organizations, and community-based organizations. 
(2) CONVERTER BOX MANUFACTURING.—With 
respect to the digital-to-analog converter box pro-
gram required under section 3005 of the Digital Tel-
evision Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 
(Public Law 109–171; 120 Stat. 23): 
(A) The participation level of manufactur-
ers in such program. 
(B) The number of digital-to-analog con-
verter box models manufactured pursuant to 
such program. 
(C) The number of digital-to-analog con-
verter boxes shipped in the prior 90 days. 
(D) The performance testing results of 
each digital-to-analog converter box model man-
ufactured pursuant to such program. 
(E) The number of digital-to-analog con-
verter boxes in the marketplace that are— 
(i) compliant with the requirements 
under such program; and 
(ii) noncompliant with the require-
ments under such program. 
(3) CONVERTER BOX RETAILING.—With respect 
to retailers: 
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(A) The compliance rates of retailers with 
the labeling requirements under section 344(c) 
of the Communications Act of 1934. 
(B) The supply levels of retailers of digital- 
to-analog converter boxes, such levels shall be 
categorized on a— 
(i) State by State level; and 
(ii) regional level. 
(C) The price charged by such retailers for 
digital-to-analog converter boxes, and the sales 
efforts of such retailers with respect to such 
boxes. 
(D) The efforts of retailers on training and 
educating their sales force regarding the transi-
tion from analog to digital television. 
(4) COUPON
ADMINISTRATION.—With respect 
to the digital-to-analog converter box coupon pro-
gram established under section 3005(c) of the Dig-
ital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 
2005 (Public Law 109–171; 120 Stat. 23): 
(A) The number of coupons issued, cat-
egorized nationally, by State, and by 5 digit zip 
code. 
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(B) The number of coupons redeemed by 
households, categorized nationally, by State, 
and by 5 digit zip code. 
(C) The efforts of the Administration and 
the Assistant Secretary of Communications and 
Information to inform retailers about the cou-
pon program and the process needed to redeem 
coupons, categorized by 5 digit zip code. 
(D) The number of households that have 
an analog television set and receive only over- 
the-air broadcast programming and that have 
submitted an application for a coupon, cat-
egorized nationally, by State, and by 5 digit zip 
code. 
(E) The number of households that have a 
digital television set and receive only over-the- 
air broadcast programming and that have sub-
mitted an application for a coupon, categorized 
nationally, by State, and by 5 digit zip code. 
(F) The number of households that have 
either an analog or digital television set and re-
ceive cable or satellite service and that have 
submitted an application for a coupon, cat-
egorized nationally, by State, and by 5 digit zip 
code. 
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(G) The efforts of the Administration to 
utilize the household demographics collected 
under subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F) to de-
termine an appropriate strategy for the dis-
tribution of print applications for coupons, such 
as distribution at post-offices, departments of 
motor vehicles, and community centers. 
(H) The average time of redemption of a 
coupon, measured from the date of issuance of 
the coupon to a household to the date of re-
demption of that coupon at a certified retailer 
of digital-to-analog converter boxes. 
(I) The top 10 retailers, by volume, where 
coupons are redeemed. 
(J) The results of quarterly surveys con-
ducted between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 
2009, on consumer satisfaction with the coupon 
program, including results related to ease of re-
demption, availability of digital-to-analog con-
verter box, and the certified retailer’s knowl-
edge of the impending transition from analog to 
digital television. 
(b) REPORT BY THE FCC.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 90 days 
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thereafter until March 31, 2009, the Federal Communica-
tions Commission shall report to Congress on— 
(1) the effectiveness of its outreach efforts to 
inform the public about the transition from analog 
to digital television, including a summary of any ma-
terials distributed, surveys and focus groups con-
ducted, and any other efforts targeted at high-risk 
market segments, such as low-income individuals, 
the elderly, or individuals located in rural commu-
nities; 
(2) the ongoing efforts and coordination of the 
Commission with industry groups (such as broad-
casters, retailers, and manufacturers), other Federal 
agencies, States, nonprofit organizations, and com-
munity-based organizations; and 
(3) the ongoing efforts of the Commission to— 
(A) prevent fraud and abuse with respect 
to the transition from analog to digital tele-
vision; 
(B) educate high-risk market segments, 
such as low-income individuals, the elderly, or 
individuals located in rural communities, on 
how to— 
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(i) avoid potential fraudulent schemes 
related to the digital television transition; 
and 
(ii) identify occurrences of fraud; 
(C) prosecute those individuals accused of 
participating in fraudulent schemes related to 
the digital television transition; and 
(D) monitor the compliance of retailers 
and manufacturers with the labeling require-
ments under section 344(c) of the Communica-
tions Act of 1934. 
(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Tele-
communications and Information Administration and the 
Federal Communications Commission such sums as are 
necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. 
Æ 
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