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HR 1391 101th Congress House Commerce Antitrust law Antitrust policy Boycott Television industry Television programs Violence in television

Television Violence Act of 1989

Introduced: March 14, 1989 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 24 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 1, 1989
Laid on the table. See S. 593 for further action.
Aug 1, 1989
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays (2/3 required): 399 - 18 (Roll No. 198).
Aug 1, 1989
The House discharged from Committee and moved to the consideration of S. 593, a similar measure to H.R. 1391.
Aug 1, 1989
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Aug 1, 1989
Considered as unfinished business.
Jul 31, 1989
Yeas and Nays were ordered. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed.
Jul 31, 1989
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Jul 31, 1989
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Jul 31, 1989
The chair announced that a second on the motion to suspend the rules is not required.
Jul 31, 1989
Mr. Brooks moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 7, 1989
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 83.
Jul 7, 1989
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 101-123.
Jun 29, 1989
Mr. Brooks asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Judiciary have until 6:00 p.m. on July 7 to file a report on H.R. 1391. Agreed to without objection.
Jun 20, 1989
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 20, 1989
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Jun 15, 1989
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 15, 1989
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).
Jun 12, 1989
Executive Comment Requested from Justice.
Jun 1, 1989
Executive Comment Received from FCC.
May 16, 1989
Executive Comment Requested from Justice and FCC.
May 10, 1989
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 27, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic and Commercial Law.
Mar 14, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Mar 14, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Television Violence Act of 1989 - Exempts from the antitrust laws any joint discussion, consideration, review, action, or agreement by or among persons in the television industry for developing and disseminating voluntary guidelines designed to alleviate the negative impact of violence in telecast material, provided the joint action does not result in a boycott of any person. Applies such exemption to only those joint activities engaged in within three years after enactment of this Act.

Defines "person in the television industry" to include any entity which telecasts programming or which produces programming for telecasting.

What's happening now August 1, 1989

Laid on the table. See S. 593 for further action.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 593 Procedurally related Television Violence and Indecent Material Act
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Jun 14, 1989
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1391: Television Violence Act of 1989. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1391/
MLA
"H.R. 1391: Television Violence Act of 1989." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1391/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1391, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1391/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1391: Television Violence Act of 1989](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-1391/)
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