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H.R. 4201 106th Congress House

Noncommercial Broadcasting Freedom of Expression Act of 2000

Official title: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify the service obligations of noncommercial educational broadcast stations.

Introduced: April 6, 2000 See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative procedureAuditingCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesEducation
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Educational televisionElection candidatesFamiliesFederal Communications CommissionFinance and Financial SectorFreedom of the pressFund raisingGiftsGovernment Operations and PoliticsIndependent regulatory commissionsLawLicensesNonprofit organizationsPolitical action committeesPolitical advertisingPolitical partiesPublic radioPublic televisionRadio programsReligionReligious libertyRight of privacySocial WelfareTelevision and childrenTelevision programs
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This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) 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 21 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 5, 2000
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 779.
Jul 27, 2000
Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Jun 21, 2000
Received in the Senate.
Jun 20, 2000
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jun 20, 2000
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 264 - 159 (Roll no. 295).
Jun 20, 2000
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 527, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Markey amendment in the nature of a substitute.
Jun 20, 2000
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4201.
Jun 20, 2000
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4201 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The bill shall be considered in the House and shall be considered as read for amendment. The amendment recommended by the Committee on Commerce now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. Provides for consideration of the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record, if offered by Mr. Markey or his designee, which shall be considered as read and shall be debatable for one hour equally divided between the proponent and an opponent.
Jun 20, 2000
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 527. (consideration: CR H4684-4701; text of measure as reported in House: CR H4684)
Jun 20, 2000
Rule H. Res. 527 passed House.
Jun 19, 2000
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 527 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4201 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The bill shall be considered in the House and shall be considered as read for amendment. The amendment recommended by the Committee on Commerce now printed in the bill shall be considered as adopted. Measure will be considered read. A specified amendment is in order. Provides for consideration of the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record, if offered by Mr. Markey or his designee, which shall be considered as read and shall be debatable for one hour equally divided between the proponent and an opponent.
Jun 9, 2000
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 368.
Jun 9, 2000
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Commerce. H. Rept. 106-662.
May 17, 2000
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
May 17, 2000
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
May 10, 2000
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 11 - 5.
May 10, 2000
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 13, 2000
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Apr 13, 2000
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
Apr 6, 2000
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Apr 6, 2000
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jun 20, 2000 House · vote #295 On Passage Passed 264–159 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 2

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.

1 agreed to 1 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 834 Markey, Edward J. An amendment made in order by H. Res. 527 to clarify that the service obligations of noncommercial broadcast … Failed Jun 20, 2000
HAMDT 833 – Pursuant to H. Res. 427, the amendment recommended by the Committee on Commerce now printed in the bill (H. R… Agreed to Jun 20, 2000
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 Latest action September 5, 2000

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 779.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Noncommercial Broadcasting Freedom of Expression Act of 2000 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to allow a nonprofit organization or entity to hold a noncommercial educational radio or television license (license) if the station is used primarily to broadcast material that such organization or entity determines serves an educational, instructional, or cultural purpose (such purposes) in that community, unless such determination is arbitrary or unreasonable.

Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from: (1) imposing or enforcing any requirement on such licenses based on the number of hours of programming that serve such purposes; (2) preventing religious programming from being determined to serve one of such purposes; or (3) imposing or enforcing any other programming content requirement that is not imposed on a licensee, permittee, or applicant for a commercial radio or television license.

Prohibits the FCC from establishing, expanding, or otherwise modifying requirements relating to the service obligations of noncommercial educational radio or television stations except by means of agency rulemaking.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HRES 527 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4201) to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to clarify the service obli…
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4201: Noncommercial Broadcasting Freedom of Expression Act of 2000. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-4201/
MLA
"H.R. 4201: Noncommercial Broadcasting Freedom of Expression Act of 2000." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-4201/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4201, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-4201/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4201: Noncommercial Broadcasting Freedom of Expression Act of 2000](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-HR-4201/)
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