zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Local Community Radio Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modify the rules authorizing the operation of low-power FM radio stations, as proposed in MM Docket No. 99-25, to: (1) prescribe protection for co-channels and first- and second-adjacent channels; and (2) prohibit any applicant from obtaining a low-power FM license if the applicant has engaged in any manner in the unlicensed operation of any station in violation of the Communications Act of 1934. (Current law is the same, except that clause (1) instead requires prescribing minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels, as well as for co-channels and first- and second-adjacent channels.) States that any license that was issued by the FCC to a low-power FM station prior to April 2, 2001, and that does not comply with the modifications adopted by the Commission in the above docket on April 2, 2001, shall remain invalid. Eliminates provisions prohibiting the FCC from extending the eligibility for application for low-power FM stations beyond the organizations and entities as proposed in the above docket. (Sec. 3) Requires the FCC to eliminate third-adjacent minimum distance separation requirements between: (1) low-power FM stations; and (2) full-service FM stations, FM translator stations, and FM booster stations. (Sec. 4) Requires the FCC to comply with its existing minimum distance separation requirements for full-service FM stations, FM translator stations, and FM booster stations that broadcast radio reading services via an analog subcarrier frequency to avoid potential interference by low-power FM stations. (Sec. 5) Requires the FCC, when licensing new FM translator stations, FM booster stations, and low-power FM stations, to ensure that: (1) licenses are available to FM translator stations, FM booster stations, and low-power FM stations; and (2) such decisions are made based on the needs of the local community. (Sec. 6) Requires the FCC to modify its rules to address the potential for predicted interference to FM translator input signals on third-adjacent channels set forth in a specified technical report. (Sec. 7) Requires the FCC to modify the interference complaint process in specified ways. (Sec. 8) Requires the FCC to study and report to Congress on the impact that low-power FM stations will have on full-service commercial FM stations.

Date: 2009-02-24
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Truth in Caller ID Act of 2010 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for any person in the United States, in connection with any real time voice communications, regardless of the technology or network used, to cause any caller identification service to transmit misleading or inaccurate caller identification information ("spoofing") with the intent to defraud or deceive. Prohibits construing this Act to prevent blocking caller identification. Declares that this Act does not prohibit lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency of the United States, a state, or a political subdivision of a state, or of a U.S. intelligence agency.

Date: 2009-03-03
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to extend through FY2012 (under current law, through FY2010) the requirement that the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce make payments from the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund for a grant program to assist public safety agencies in the the acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the use of interoperable communications equipment that utilizes reallocated public safety spectrum for radio communication.

Date: 2009-03-31
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) study the uses and capabilities of amateur radio communications in emergencies and disaster relief; (2) use the expertise of the American Radio Relay League in the study; and (3) report to Congress.

Date: 2009-04-29
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Emergency management
Families for ED Advertising Decency Act - Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revise the FCC's interpretations of, and enforcement policies concerning, FCC regulations on indecent material to treat as indecent, for purposes of broadcasting during specified hours, any advertisement for medications treating erectile dysfunction or for male enhancement. Excludes from this prohibition the mere mention of the trademarked or generic name of such medication.

Date: 2009-04-29
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Commerce
Same Number Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to declare that a provider of voice services (a telecommunications service or an IP-enabled voice service) has the duty to provide number portability to the extent technically feasible. Requires that the costs of establishing numbering administration arrangements and number portability be borne by all voice service providers on a competitively neutral basis. Requires designation of 9-1-1 as the universal emergency telephone number within the United States for both wireline and wireless telephone service.

Date: 2009-05-12
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the taxpayer election to expense qualified film and television production costs in the current taxable year.

Date: 2009-06-04
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Taxation
DTV Transition Assistance Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to require the Assistant Secretary for Communication of the Department of Commerce, subject to limitations, to implement and administer a program through which U.S. households may obtain coupons toward the purchase of a television antenna.

Date: 2009-06-11
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Digital TV Transition Fairness Act - Requires the Department of Commerce to implement and administer a program to obtain coupons that can be applied toward: (1) the cost to install a digital-to-analog converter box; (2) the purchase and installation of an indoor or outdoor antenna, or both if needed, to facilitate the reception and display of signals of channels broadcast in digital television service; and (3) the cost to install, or the cost of any other equipment needed to receive and display, basic broadcast television service. Sets forth consumer and product eligibility criteria. Provides for a website and telephone hotline to provide relevant information to assist consumers that have degraded or lost signals or channels as a result of the full power transition from analog to digital television that is to occur on February 17, 2009. Requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to develop anti-fraud measures and procedures to ensure that only eligible households and individuals receive a coupon. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate rules requiring that each multichannel video programming distributor providing broadcast television for a local market provide to eligible consumers in that local market access to basic broadcast television service. Requires the FCC to develop anti-fraud measures and procedures to ensure that only eligible consumers are provided access to basic broadcast television service. Directs the FCC to carry out an education and outreach campaign to inform and educate consumers on the availability, benefits, and advantages of the programs and requirements established under this Act.

Date: 2009-06-15
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Broadband Internet Fairness Act - Makes it unlawful for major broadband Internet service providers to offer volume usage service plans imposing rates, terms, and conditions that are unjust, unreasonable, or unreasonably discriminatory. Treats a violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Requires major broadband Internet service providers offering or proposing to offer volume usage plans to file a service plan analysis with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Requires the FTC to enforce this Act. Defines "major broadband Internet service provider" as a broadband Internet service provider that, directly or through an affiliate, provides broadband Internet service to 2 million or more subscribers. Defines "volume usage service plan" as any choice of service offerings to a residential consumer that includes two or more different sets of rates, terms, or conditions directly or indirectly based on the amount of data transmitted to or from the consumer within a fixed period of time. Includes nonprofit organizations or higher education institutions in the term "residential consumer."

Date: 2009-06-16
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
DTV Cliff Effect Assistance Act of 2009 - Directs the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce to make payments (not to exceed $125 million in the aggregate) during FY2009-FY2012 from the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund for a program through which a local civil government body may receive funding for the construction and equipment of digital TV translators to fill gaps in the digital coverage for full-power stations where the gaps were created from the conversion of the signal from analog to digital. Requires any translator tower built under this Act to reasonably facilitate the collocation of any wireless communications or broadband equipment (unless there is clear evidence of unresolvable signal interference issues).

Date: 2009-06-16
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Radio Spectrum Inventory Act - Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) create and maintain an inventory of each radio spectrum band of frequencies listed in the United States Table of Frequency Allocations from 225 megahertz to, at a minimum, 3.7 gigahertz, and to 10 gigahertz unless the NTIA and the FCC determine that the burden of expanding the inventory outweighs the benefit; (2) create a portal or website to make the inventory available to the public; and (3) report to Congress. Requires a report by the NTIA and FCC to Congress on which spectrum, if any, should be reallocated or otherwise made available for shared access. Creates exceptions to the inventorying, public disclosure, and reporting requirements of this Act, including exceptions relating to: (1) national security, homeland security, and public safety; and (2) confidential and proprietary information.

Date: 2009-07-08
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Local Television Freedom Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow retransmission of a television broadcast station's signals by a multichannel video programming distributor to a subscriber located in the station's adjacent underserved county, unless the station certifies to the distributor that it is under no legal obligation restricting its ability to grant retransmission consent to the distributor. Prohibits a television broadcast station that elects retransmission consent from requesting as a condition to receiving retransmission consent that a multichannel video programming distributor not exercise its right to carry any other broadcast station in the station's adjacent underserved county. Allows a satellite carrier to provide service under a statutory license to the adjacent underserved county within which a household is located. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revise regulations concerning network nonduplication, syndicated exclusivity, and sports blackout protection against the retransmission by a multichannel video programming distributor to permit such retransmission if the receiving subscriber is in the station's adjacent underserved county. Imposes statutory copyright licensing in certain situations on the secondary transmission of a television broadcast station into an adjacent underserved county, except when dealing with a performance or display of a work made by that station. Defines "adjacent underserved county" as a county within the station's adjacent market that is both: (1) located in the same state as the station's community of license; and (2) not within the local market of any other station that is both affiliated with the same network and located in the same state as such other station's community of license. Declares that the secondary transmission of a performance or display of a work embodied in a primary transmission is not an infringement of copyright if the secondary transmission is to a subscriber in a broadcast station's adjacent underserved county.

Date: 2009-07-14
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to extend through FY2012 (under current law, through FY2010) the requirement that the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce make payments from the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund for a grant program to assist public safety agencies in the the acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the use of interoperable communications equipment that utilizes reallocated public safety spectrum for radio communication. Allows the Assistant Secretary to extend, on a case-by-case basis, the period of performance for any investment approved under the program for a period not to exceed two years.

Date: 2009-07-27
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to set the policy of the United States regarding various aspects of the Internet, including access, consumer choice, competition, ability to use or offer content, applications, and services, discriminatory favoritism, and capacity. Makes it the duty of each Internet access service provider to: (1) not block, interfere with, discriminate against, impair, or degrade the ability of any person to use an Internet access service; (2) not impose certain charges on any Internet content, service, or application provider; (3) not prevent or obstruct a user from attaching or using any lawful device in conjunction with such service, provided the device does not harm the provider's network; (4) offer Internet access service to any requesting person; (5) not provide or sell to any content, application, or service provider any offering that prioritizes traffic over that of other such providers; and (6) not install or use network features, functions, or capabilities that impede or hinder compliance with these duties. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate related rules. Prohibits construing this Act to prohibit an Internet access provider from engaging in reasonable network management. Requires the FCC to: (1) promulgate rules to ensure that an Internet access service provider does not require a consumer, as a condition on the purchase of any Internet access service, to purchase any other service or offering; and (2) take certain actions, including regarding private transmission capacity services.

Date: 2009-07-31
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Statewide PTV Access Act of 2009 - Permits a satellite carrier to retransmit the signals of a state-wide network of noncommercial educational broadcast stations to any subscriber in any county within such state that is: (1) outside that station's local market; and (2) not served by an in-state noncommercial educational television broadcast station. Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to permit a satellite carrier to retransmit the signals of a television broadcast station outside the station's local market directly to its subscribers if: (1) such station is a part of a network of three or more noncommercial educational broadcast stations that are licensed to a single state, political, educational, or special purpose subdivision of a state, or to a single public agency; and (2) the carrier retransmits such signal only to subscribers in a county within that state that is outside the station's local market and is not served by another in-state noncommercial educational broadcast station.

Date: 2009-07-31
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Requires, notwithstanding specified provisions of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005, that sums made available to administer the Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program remain available until expended, but not beyond September 30, 2012. Extends the period for performance of any investment approved under the Program as of enactment of this Act by one year, but not later than September 30, 2011. Allows the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to extend, on a case-by-case basis, the period of performance for any such investment for a period of not more than 2 years, but not later than September 30, 2012.

Date: 2009-09-23
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Broadband Affordability Act of 2009 - Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a broadband lifeline program enabling qualifying low-income customers residing in urban and rural areas to purchase broadband service at reduced charges by reimbursing providers for each such customer served. Requires that the program: (1) be similar in structure to the Lifeline program for basic telephone service; and (2) promote competition from broadband service providers by using neutral technology. Requires a broadband service provider that is not an eligible telecommunications carrier to obtain FCC authorization to participate in the program.

Date: 2009-09-24
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Kelsey Smith Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a telecommunication carrier to provide, at the request of a law enforcement agency, call location information of users of a commercial mobile service or an IP-enabled voice service (e.g., cell phones) to such agency and other public safety and health agencies in order to respond to emergency situations. Prohibits any cause of action against any commercial mobile service or IP-enabled voice service provider (including its officers, employees, or agents) for providing such call location information in good faith.

Date: 2009-10-01
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Community Access Preservation Act or the CAP Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require, with a specified waiver authority, that public, educational, and government (PEG) channels be: (1) carried in the same channel capacity as local commercial television channels, or if no such stations are required to be carried, in the same channel capacity as network-affiliated commercial television stations carried on cable; and (2) provided to every cable subscriber without additional service or equipment charges. Requires a cable operator to: (1) carry PEG signals to subscribers without material degradation and without altering content; and (2) provide facilities adequate to fulfill such requirements. Requires cable operators in states that have adopted statewide franchising to: (1) make PEG support payments equal to the greater of the cash payment required under state law or the value of historically-provided PEG support; (2) carry PEG signals from the point of origin to subscribers; and (3) provide at least the number of channels for PEG use provided as of May 31, 2005.

Date: 2009-10-07
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Kelsey Smith Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require telecommunication carriers to provide, at the request of a law enforcement agency, call location information of users a commercial mobile service or an IP-enabled voice service (e.g., cell phones) to such agencies and other public safety agencies to respond to emergency situations. Directs the Attorney General, under the Byrne Law Enforcement Grant Program, to: (1) provide education and training to state and local law enforcement agencies and officials to collect and use call location information in emergency situations; and (2) develop and disseminate procedures to ensure that such agencies and officials have the necessary contact information to request and obtain call location information.

Date: 2009-10-13
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2011 the taxpayer election to expense qualified film or television production costs in the current taxable year.

Date: 2009-10-26
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Taxation
Federal Communications Commission Collaboration Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow, notwithstanding a specified open meeting provision, three or more Commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to hold a meeting that is closed to the public to discuss official business if: (1) no agency action is taken; (2) each person present is an FCC Commissioner or employee; (3) for each political party of which any Commissioner is a member, at least one Commissioner who is a member of the respective party is present, and, if any Commissioner has no party affiliation, at least one unaffiliated Commissioner is present; and (4) an attorney from the FCC's Office of General Counsel is present. Requires public disclosure of the meeting, attendees, and matters discussed. Terminates the effectiveness of this Act five years after enactment.

Date: 2009-12-01
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Attorney-Client Privilege Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit any U.S. agent or attorney, in any federal investigation or criminal or civil enforcement matter, from demanding, requesting, or conditioning treatment ("giving cooperation credit") on the disclosure by an organization (or affiliated person) of any communication protected by the attorney-client privilege or any attorney work product. Prohibits a U.S. agent or attorney from conditioning a civil or criminal charging decision relating to an organization (or affiliated person) on one or more specified actions, or from using one or more such actions as a factor in determining whether an organization or affiliated person is cooperating with the government. Numbers among the actions a U.S. agent or attorney may not use as a charging decision condition or a cooperation-determining factor: (1) any valid assertion of the attorney-client privilege or privilege for attorney work product; (2) the provision of counsel to, or contribution to the legal defense fees or expenses of, an employee of the organization; (3) entry into a joint-defense, information-sharing, or common-interest agreement with an employee of the organization if the organization determines it has a common interest in defending against the investigation or enforcement matter; (4) the sharing of relevant information with an employee; or (5) a failure to terminate an employee's employment, or otherwise sanction an employee, because of the employee's decision to exercise his or her constitutional rights or other legal protections in response to a government request. Prohibits a U.S. agent or attorney from demanding or requesting that an organization or an affiliated person not take any such action.

Date: 2009-12-16
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Wireless Microphone Users Interference Protection Act - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to authorize owners and operators of wireless microphones operating on a primary basis in the VHF bands and on a secondary basis in the UHF bands to have access to the geolocation database maintained to prohibit the operation of unlicensed TV band devices on protected frequencies. Specifies registration sites (for the purpose of identifying locations to be protected through database registration).

Date: 2009-12-16
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Standards for Internet Non-Censorship Act of 2010 or the SINC Act of 2010 - Declares it to be the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should establish interim minimum standards of non-censorship for Internet search providers and create programs to restrict access to domestic online information by providers determined to be censoring nonviolent political speech; (2) any long-term solution to the problem of the censorship of nonviolent political speech on the Internet must include minimum standards of non-censorship set by a coalition of free countries; and (3) the President should negotiate with free countries to adopt minimum standards for non-censorship of nonviolent political speech as a condition for access to the Internet. Authorizes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to begin a proceeding to adopt regulations to restrict repressive Internet search providers from accessing domestic online information. Requires the FCC, if it adopts such regulations, to develop, operate, and maintain a public website that lists repressive providers and the reasons for finding that the providers were repressive. Authorizes the FCC to enforce the regulations using any existing enforcement authority to prevent collusion to evade the regulations. Directs the Secretary of State to seek to enter into agreements with free countries to adopt minimum standards. Authorizes the FCC to begin a proceeding to adopt regulations to restrict or prevent entities that operate outside of any such agreements from accessing domestic online information.

Date: 2010-01-26
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Broadband for First Responders Act of 2010 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase the electromagnetic spectrum allocation for public safety services by 10 megahertz and reduce such allocation for commercial use by the same amount. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) allocate the paired electromagnetic spectrum bands of 758-763 megahertz and 788-793 megahertz (referred to as D Block) for public safety broadband communications and assign such paired bands to public safety; (2) establish rules to permit a public safety broadband licensee to authorize public safety service providers to construct and operate a wireless public safety broadband network in the licensee's spectrum if such authorization would expedite public safety broadband communications; (3) require that any wireless public safety broadband network be fully interoperable, provide for user roaming, be disaster survivable, and have the appropriate level of cyber security; (4) establish regulations to authorize the shared use of the public safety broadband spectrum and network infrastructure by entities that are not defined as public safety services; (5) establish regulations to allow use of the public safety broadband spectrum by emergency response providers; and (6) develop a public safety agency statement of requirements that enables nationwide interoperability and roaming across any communications system using public safety broadband spectrum.

Date: 2010-04-20
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Internet Investment, Innovation, and Competition Preservation Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from regulating the rates, terms, conditions, provisioning, or use of an information service or an Internet access service unless: (1) there is a market failure in the provision of such service; (2) there is substantial evidence such failure is preventing a substantial number of consumers nationwide from accessing a substantial amount of lawful Internet content, applications, and services of their choice on a continuing basis; (3) regulations are necessary to ameliorate such consumer harm; and (4) the FCC has performed a cost-benefit analysis determining that the benefit of such regulation exceeds its costs. Requires any FCC regulation to: (1) be the least restrictive necessary to address market failure and consumer harm; and (2) not prohibit network management from addressing quality of service or measures to prevent unauthorized or illegal activity, including copyright infringement. Requires the FCC to enforce any such regulation on a nondiscriminatory basis between and among broadband network providers, service providers, application providers, and content providers.

Date: 2010-05-11
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Voluntary Incentive Auctions Act of 2010 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that, if consistent with the public interest for a licensee to voluntarily relinquish some or all of its spectrum usage rights in order to permit the assignment of new initial licenses or the allocation of spectrum for unlicensed use, the proceeds from the use of a competitive bidding system may be shared with any licensee who agreed to voluntarily relinquish such usage rights. Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from reclaiming frequencies of broadcast television licensees or any other licensees on an involuntary basis for certain licensing purposes.

Date: 2010-07-29
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Public Radio Music Enhancement Act of 2010 - Amends federal copyright law to remove, for certain public broadcasting entities, the limit on the number of selections an online broadcaster is permitted to transmit from a recording or an artist in a three-hour period, unless, on a weekly basis, a substantial portion of the selections transmitted on the channel are by the same featured recording artist or are of the same musical work.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Law
Notification of Origin of Telecommunications and Internet Consumer Exchanges Act of 2010 or NOTICE Act of 2010 - Requires business entities that initiate or receive certain customer service communications to disclose their physical location if located outside the United States. Directs each such business entity to annually certify to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it has complied or failed to comply with the disclosure. Treats such a business entity's failure to comply as a regulatory violation under the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTCA) regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Requires FTC enforcement and subjects violators to penalties under the FTCA.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Commerce
Digital TV Transition Fairness Act - Requires the Department of Commerce to implement and administer a program to obtain coupons that can be applied toward: (1) the cost to install a digital-to-analog converter box; (2) the purchase and installation of an indoor or outdoor antenna, or both if needed, to facilitate the reception and display of signals of channels broadcast in digital television service; and (3) the cost to install, or the cost of any other equipment needed to receive and display, basic broadcast television service. Sets forth consumer and product eligibility criteria. Provides for a website and telephone hotline to provide relevant information to assist consumers that have degraded or lost signals or channels as a result of the full power transition from analog to digital television that is to occur on February 17, 2009. Requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to develop anti-fraud measures and procedures to ensure that only eligible households and individuals receive a coupon. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate rules requiring that each multichannel video programming distributor providing broadcast television for a local market provide to eligible consumers in that local market access to basic broadcast television service. Requires the FCC to develop anti-fraud measures and procedures to ensure that only eligible consumers are provided access to basic broadcast television service. Directs the FCC to carry out an education and outreach campaign to inform and educate consumers on the availability, benefits, and advantages of the programs and requirements established under this Act.

Date: 2009-01-07
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for any person in the United States, in connection with any telecommunications service or Internet protocol (IP)-enabled voice service, to cause any caller identification (ID) service to transmit misleading or inaccurate caller ID information with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value, unless such transmission is exempted in connection with: (1) authorized activities of law enforcement agencies; or (2) a court order specifically authorizing the use of caller ID manipulation. Prohibits anything in this Act from being construed as preventing or restricting any person from blocking any caller identification service. Requires a related report by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to Congress. Provides civil and criminal penalties for violations. Allows enforcement by states (with authorized intervention by the FCC). Declares that this Act does not prohibit any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency of the United States, a state, or a state's political subdivision, or of a U.S. intelligence agency.

Date: 2009-01-07
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Safe Prisons Communications Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to permit the supervisory authority of a correctional facility to operate a jamming system within the facility to prevent, jam, or otherwise interfere with unauthorized wireless communications by individuals held in the facility. Defines "supervisory authority" as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the chief executive officer of a state, or the person in charge of a county or local correctional facility not under the authority of the chief executive officer of a state. Requires the supervisory authority: (1) to file a notice of intent with the FCC; and (2) if requested by the public agencies and commercial mobile service providers identified by the FCC, consult with them to determine the types of equipment, facilities and frequencies in use in the correctional facility's area, and provide testing access to the outer perimeter of the correctional facility. Authorizes the supervisory authority upon completion of such procedures to file a petition with the FCC to install and operate a jamming system. Requires FCC action within 60 days of petition receipt. States that an approved petition shall be: (1) valid for up to five years and renewable; and (2) terminated or suspended if the FCC receives notice from a commercial mobile service provider, supported by affidavit and documentation, that the correctional facility jamming device is interfering with commercial mobile service. Sets forth jamming use limitations. Requires a supervisory authority to: (1) destroy a jamming device within 60 days after an authorization expires; (2) destroy a jamming device that is permanently removed from service; (3) certify such destruction to the FCC; and (4) notify the FCC upon acquisition of any jamming device that replaces a destroyed device. Requires the FCC to maintain a petition database. (Sec. 3) Requires the FCC to promulgate final regulations governing the use of wireless jamming systems in correctional facilities within 180 days of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 4) Requires the FCC to: (1) adopt a final rule within 120 days of enactment of this Act establishing the criteria for the manufacture, sale, importation, and interstate shipment of jamming devices; and (2) maintain a website list of all approved devices.

Date: 2009-01-15
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
TV Converter Box Coupon Program Relief Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to authorize the expenditure of additional amounts to carry out the program to provide coupons for the purchase of digital-to-analog converter boxes.

Date: 2009-01-22
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
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, provided additional budget authority is enacted, 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: (1) a station from ending analog broadcasting (and continuing to broadcast exclusively digitally) before June 13, 2009; or (2) a public safety service from beginning operations on spectrum recovered as a result of such voluntary cessation of analog or digital broadcasting.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.

Date: 2009-01-29
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Attorney-Client Privilege Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit any U.S. agent or attorney, in any federal investigation or criminal or civil enforcement matter, including any form of administrative proceeding or adjudication, from: (1) demanding or requesting that an organization, or a current or former employee, officer, director, or agent of such organization, waive the protections of the attorney-client privilege or attorney work product doctrine; (2) offering to reward or actually rewarding an organization, or current or former employee, officer, director, or agent, for waiving such protections; or (3) threatening adverse treatment or penalizing an organization, or current or former employee, officer, director, or agent, for declining to waive those protections. Prohibits a U.S. agent or attorney in any federal investigation or criminal or civil enforcement matter, including any form of administrative proceeding or adjudication, from considering specified conduct in: (1) making a civil or criminal charging or enforcement decision relating to an organization, or one of its current or former employees or agents; or (2) determining whether an organization, or a current or former employee, officer, director, or agent, is cooperating with the government. Numbers among the actions a U.S. agent or attorney may not use as a charging decision condition or a cooperation-determining factor: (1) any valid assertion of the protection of the attorney-client privilege or attorney work product doctrine; (2) the provision of counsel to, or contribution to the legal defense fees or expenses of, a current or former employee, officer, director, or agent of an organization; (3) entry into, or existence of, a valid joint-defense, information-sharing, or common-interest agreement between an organization and a current or former employee or officer or director or agent, or among its current or former employees; (4) the sharing of relevant information in anticipation of or in response to an investigation or enforcement matter between an organization and a current or former employee or officer or director or agent, or among its current or former employees, unless shuch sharing is itself an offense; or (5) the failure to terminate the employment or affiliation of or otherwise sanction any employee, officer, director, or agent of the organization because of the employee's, officer's, director's, or agent's decision to exercise personal constitutional rights or other legal protections in response to a government request. Prohibits a U.S. agent or attorney from demanding or requesting that an organization or an affiliated person not take any such action.

Date: 2009-02-13
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Local Community Radio Act of 2009 - Repeals provisions in the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001 that required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) modify rules authorizing the operation of low-power FM radio stations to prescribe minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels; (2) prohibit applicants who have engaged in the unlicensed operation of any station from obtaining a low-power FM license; and (3) conduct a program to test whether low-power FM radio stations will result in harmful interference to existing FM radio stations if minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels are not required. Requires the FCC to modify the rules authorizing the operation of low-power FM radio stations, as proposed, to prohibit any applicant from obtaining a low-power FM license if the applicant has engaged in any manner in the unlicensed operation of a station. Requires the FCC to modify its rules to eliminate third-adjacent minimum distance separation requirements between specified FM stations. Requires the FCC to retain rules that provide third-adjacent channel protection for full-power noncommercial FM stations that broadcast radio reading services via a subcarrier frequency from potential low-power FM station interference. Requires the FCC, when licensing FM translator stations, to ensure that: (1) licenses are available to both FM translator stations and low-power FM stations; and (2) such decisions are made based on the needs of the local community. Requires the FCC to conduct an economic study on the impact that low-power FM stations will have on full-power commercial FM stations. Requires the FCC to retain its rules that provide third-adjacent channel protection for full-power FM stations that are licensed in significantly populated states with more than three million housing units and a population density greater than 1,000 per square mile land area.

Date: 2009-03-12
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Radio Spectrum Inventory Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) biennially inventory each radio spectrum band, at a minimum, from 300 megahertz to 3.5 gigahertz managed by each such agency, including information on the licenses or government user assigned in the band, the total spectrum allocation of each licensee or government user, the number of deployed intentional and end-user intentional radiators, and (if available) other specified information; and (2) make the information available to the public through the Internet. Directs the NTIA and FCC to report to Congress on such inventory. Allows a licensee or government user to petition the NTIA or the FCC for a partial or total exemption from website inclusion. Allows an exemption to be granted only to the extent that each such agency determines that disclosure of the information would be harmful to U.S. national security. Makes such exemptions applicable for a two-year period, unless there is a request for, and granting of, an extension. Requires information excluded under an exemption to be compiled and reported to Congress on a confidential basis.

Date: 2009-03-19
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Four Corners Television Access Act of 2009 - Amends federal copyright law and the Communications Act of 1934 to allow satellite or cable retransmission of signals of broadcast television stations located in the capital of a state to counties in that state if the counties meet specified criteria.

Date: 2009-04-01
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
DTV Cliff Effect Assistance Act of 2009 - Directs the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce to make payments (not to exceed $125 million in the aggregate) during FY2009-FY2012 from the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund for a program through which a local civil government body may receive funding for the construction and equipment of digital TV translators to fill gaps in the digital coverage for full-power stations where the gaps were created from the conversion of the signal from analog to digital. Requires any translator tower built under this Act to reasonably facilitate the collocation of any wireless communications or broadband equipment (unless there is clear evidence of unresolvable signal interference issues).

Date: 2009-04-27
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Webcaster Settlement Act of 2009 - Prohibits the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia from taking this Act into account in its review of the determination by the Copyright Royalty Judges of May 1, 2007, of rates and terms for the digital performance of sound recordings and ephemeral recordings, pursuant to specified provisions. Defines "webcaster," for provisions relating to licenses for the reproduction and performance of sound recordings via webcasting, as a person or entity that has obtained a compulsory license under specified provisions. (Current law defines such term as a person or entity that has obtained a compulsory license under specified provisions to make eligible nonsubscription transmissions and ephemeral recordings.) Terminates, 30 days after enactment of this Act, the authority to make commercial or noncommercial webcasting settlements under existing provisions.

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Commerce
Mobile Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2009 - Prohibits states or local governments from imposing any new discriminatory tax on mobile services, mobile service providers, or mobile service property for five years after the enactment of this Act. Defines "new discriminatory tax" as a tax imposed on mobile services, providers, or property that is not generally imposed on other types of services or property, or that is generally imposed at a lower rate.

Date: 2009-06-04
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Taxation
Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act or the CALM Act - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe a regulation limiting the volume of television advertisements that is limited to incorporating by reference and making mandatory (but subject to waivers) the "Recommended Practice: Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television" insofar as such recommended practice concerns the transmission of commercial advertisements by a television broadcast station, cable operator, or other multichannel video programming distributor. Deems a broadcast television operator, cable operator, or other multichannel video programming distributor that installs, utilizes, and maintains in a commercially reasonable manner the equipment and associated software in compliance with the regulations issued by the FCC in accordance with this Act to be in compliance with such regulations.

Date: 2009-12-08
Topic: Technology (Broadcast)
Subject: Science, technology, communications