Public Broadcasting Reauthorization Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-2645
Sponsor: Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2004-07-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Authorization
Broadband
Collection of accounts
Direct broadcast satellites
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Educational television
Electronic data interchange
Elementary and secondary education
Equipment and supplies
Government Operations and Politics
Government trust funds
Higher education
Internet
Nonprofit organizations
Public broadcasting
Radio programs
Radio stations
Social Welfare
Television programs
Television relay systems
Television stations

Summary:
action_date: 2004-07-13
text: 
Public Broadcasting Reauthorization Act of 2004 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for: (1) FY 2007 through 2011 for the Public Broadcasting Fund, including funds for FY 2005 through 2009 specifically for transition from the use of analog to digital technology for the provision of public telecommunication services and for acquisition or production of digital programming of local, regional, and national interest; (2) FY 2005 for the Satellite Interconnection Fund, including for FY 2006 through 2008 up to the amount authorized for FY 2005 if the amount appropriated is less; and (3) FY 2005 through 2011 for public telecommunications facilities programs, including analog and digital broadcast facilities and equipment.
 
Provides for recoupment by the Public Broadcasting Corporation of unexpended funds from a public broadcast station that ceases to provide public telecommunications services, or transfers its license or permit to an entity that will not provide such services.
 
Redefines &quot;public broadcast services&quot; as &quot;public telecommunications services,&quot; namely noncommercial educational and cultural: (1) radio and television programming or other content; and (2) instructional or informational material (including data) transmitted electronically.
 
Revises the authority of licensees and permittees of public radio stations to use funds distributed by the Corporation at their discretion for purposes related primarily to the production and acquisition of programming. Authorizes such recipients to use such funds primarily for the support of content, programming, and services, especially those that serve the needs and interests of the recipient's local community.

action_date: 2004-10-08
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Public Broadcasting Reauthorization Act of 2004 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for: (1) FY 2007 through 2011 for the Public Broadcasting Fund, including funds for FY 2005 through 2009 specifically for transition from the use of analog to digital technology for the provision of public telecommunication services and for acquisition or production of digital programming of local, regional, and national interest; (2) FY 2005 for the Satellite Interconnection Fund, including for FY 2006 through 2008 up to the amount authorized for FY 2005 if the amount appropriated is less; and (3) FY 2005 through 2011 for public telecommunications facilities programs, including analog and digital broadcast facilities and equipment.
 
Provides for recoupment by the Public Broadcasting Corporation of unexpended funds from a public broadcast station that ceases to provide public telecommunications services, or transfers its license or permit to an entity that will not provide such services.
 
Redefines &quot;public broadcast services&quot; as &quot;public telecommunications services,&quot; namely noncommercial educational and cultural: (1) radio and television programming or other content; and (2) instructional or informational material (including data) transmitted electronically.
 
Revises the authority of licensees and permittees of public radio stations to use funds distributed by the Corporation at their discretion for purposes related primarily to the production and acquisition of programming. Authorizes such recipients to use such funds primarily for the support of content, programming, and services, especially those that serve the needs and interests of the recipient's local community.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 786.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain without amendment. With written report No. 108-396. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain without amendment. With written report No. 108-396. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2004-07-22
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2004-07-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8035-8037)
action_date: 2004-07-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8035)
action_date: 2004-07-13
text: Introduced in Senate