H.R. 3615
106th Congress
House
Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act
Official title: To amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to ensure improved access to the signals of local television stations by multichannel video providers to all hou… Show full official titleShow less
Official title: To amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to ensure improved access to the signals of local television stations by multichannel video providers to all households which desire such service in unserved and underserved rural areas by December 31, 2006.
Housing and Community Development
AuditingBankruptcyCable televisionCollection of accounts
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
CommerceCongressCongressional investigationsCongressional reporting requirementsCredit insuranceDirect broadcast satellitesEconomics and Public FinanceFederal aid to rural areasFederally-guaranteed loansFinance and Financial SectorInsurance premiumsLiensLoan defaultsRural economic developmentScience, Technology, CommunicationsSpace activitiesTelecommunication industryTelevision broadcastingTelevision relay systemsTelevision stationsWireless communication
Everywhere this bill has been
31 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 2, 2000
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 525.
Apr 13, 2000
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 13, 2000
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 375 - 37 (Roll no. 128). (text: CR H2292-2296)
Apr 13, 2000
The previous question was ordered pursuant to a previous order of the House.
Apr 13, 2000
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order, the House proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3615.
Apr 13, 2000
Considered by previous order of the House. (consideration: CR H2283-2302; text of measure as reported in House: CR H2283-2285)
Apr 13, 2000
Consideration initiated by previous order of the House.
Apr 13, 2000
ORDER OF PROCEDURE - Mr. Dreier asked unanimous consent that it be in order at any time without intervention of any point of order to consider in the House the bill H.R. 3615; that the bill be considered as read for amendment; that, in lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on Agriculture and Commerce now printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute which is at the desk be considered as read and adopted; that the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the bill, as amended, to final passage without intervening motion except: (1) one hour of debate; (2) one motion to recommit with or without instructions; and (3) that H. Res. 475 be laid upon the table. Agreed to without objection.
Apr 12, 2000
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 475 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3615 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendments recommended by the Committees on Agriculture and Commerce now printed in the bill, the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution shall be considered as adopted. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Apr 6, 2000
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 309.
Apr 6, 2000
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 106-508, Part II.
Apr 5, 2000
House Committee on Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than April 6, 2000.
Apr 4, 2000
House Committee on Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than April 5, 2000.
Mar 31, 2000
House Committee on Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than April 4, 2000.
Mar 31, 2000
Committee on Judiciary discharged.
Mar 29, 2000
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Mar 29, 2000
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 23, 2000
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Mar 23, 2000
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 16, 2000
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 1, 2000
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than March 31, 2000.
Mar 1, 2000
House Committee on Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than March 31, 2000.
Mar 1, 2000
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Agriculture. H. Rept. 106-508, Part I.
Feb 16, 2000
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
Feb 16, 2000
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 15, 2000
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.
Feb 15, 2000
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
Feb 11, 2000
Executive Comment Requested from USDA.
Feb 10, 2000
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committees on Commerce, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 10, 2000
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E109)
Feb 10, 2000
Introduced in House
Votes taken on this bill
1
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2000 | House · vote #128 | On Passage | Passed | 375–37 | See who voted → |
Amendments to this bill
1
Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.
| Amendment | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|
| HAMDT 671 | – | No recorded outcome |
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Latest action
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 525.
Plain-English summary
Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service to make loan guarantees (through a specified date) to providers of multichannel video services, including direct broadcast satellite licensees, to improve access to local television broadcasting to all households desiring such service in unserved and underserved rural areas.
Requires loan guarantee approval by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Sets forth satellite carrier loan guarantee qualifications.
Authorizes appropriations.
Sets forth conditions under which a borrower shall be obliged to carry local broadcast signals without charge.
Related & companion bills
2
Bill text
4 versions
- Engrossed in House Formatted Text PDF
- Introduced in House Formatted Text PDF
- Placed on Calendar Senate Formatted Text PDF
- Reported in House Formatted Text PDF
Cosponsors
25
R
Lucas, Frank D.
R
Simpson, Michael K.
STENHOLM, CHARLES
R
Moran, Jerry
SANDLIN, MAX
R
Aderholt, Robert B.
BALLENGER, CASS
BEREUTER, DOUGLAS
D
Bishop, Sanford D.
COLLINS, MAC
FLETCHER, ERNEST
FROST, MARTIN
GOSS, PORTER
HOUGHTON, AMO
Isakson, Johnny
MCINNIS, SCOTT
NETHERCUTT, GEORGE
QUINN, JACK
R
Rogers, Harold
SMITH, NICK
TAUZIN, W.
D
Thompson, Mike
R
Thune, John
Vitter, David
R
Wicker, Roger F.
Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3615: Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3615/
"H.R. 3615: Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3615/.
H.R. 3615, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3615/.
[H.R. 3615: Rural Local Broadcast Signal Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-3615/)