DTV Delay Act

Bill: 111-s-328
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2009-01-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Consumer affairs
Department of Commerce
Emergency communications systems
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Licensing and registrations
Telecommunication rates and fees
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-26
text: 

 
DTV Delay Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to delay the transition of television broadcasting from analog to digital to June 13, 2009.
 
Extends to July 31, 2009, the deadline for requesting digital-to-analog converter box coupons.

action_date: 2009-01-26
text: 
DTV Delay Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to delay the transition of television broadcasting from analog to digital to June 13, 2009. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to extend for a 116-day period the licenses for recovered spectrum, including the license period and construction requirements associated with those licenses.
 
Extends to July 31, 2009, the deadline for requesting digital-to-analog converter box coupons. Authorizes the issuance, on request, of one replacement coupon for each coupon that expired without being redeemed.
 
Declares that this Act does not prevent a station from ending analog broadcasting (and continuing to broadcast exclusively digitally) before June 13, 2009.
 
 Requires the FCC to permit the use, for authorized public safety radio services, of certain spectrum cleared as a result of a television station ceasing to broadcast analog signals before June 12, 2009, provided the FCC determines that such use does not cause harmful interference to full-power analog or digital television stations.
 
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend through September 30, 2012 (under current law, September 30, 2011), the authority of the FCC to grant a license or permit under provisions relating to competitive bidding.
 
Designates the amounts made available by this Act as an emergency requirement and necessary to meet emergency needs under the concurrent resolutions on the budget for FY2008-2009.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-28
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 258 - 168 (Roll no. 41). (consideration: CR H619)
action_date: 2009-01-28
text: Failed of passage/not agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 258 - 168 (Roll no. 41).(consideration: CR H619)
action_date: 2009-01-28
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H619)
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed until Jan. 28.
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: DEBATE - The House continued with debate on S. 328.
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 328.
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H584-593)
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: Mr. Boucher moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2009-01-26
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2009-01-26
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2009-01-26
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S847-849)
action_date: 2009-01-26
text: Introduced in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2009-01-26
text: Introduced in Senate