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S 2505 108th Congress Senate Science, Technology, Communications Administrative procedure Federal Communications Commission Government Operations and Politics Independent regulatory commissions Law Licenses Radio broadcasting Radio spectrum allocation Radio stations

A bill to implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low power FM service.

Introduced: June 4, 2004 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 7, 2004
By Senator McCain from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 108-426.
Nov 19, 2004
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 813.
Nov 19, 2004
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator McCain with an amendment. Without written report.
Jul 22, 2004
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Jun 4, 2004
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6482)
Jun 4, 2004
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6481-6482)
Jun 4, 2004
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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 its rules to eliminate third-adjacent minimum distance separation requirements between specified 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 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 3 million housing units and a population density greater than 1,000 people per square mile.

Requires the FCC to: (1) evaluate the impact of translator licensing on low and full power radio stations; and (2) implement policies that promote opportunities for locally based low power radio stations while protecting full power stations from harmful interference from translator networks.

What's happening now December 7, 2004

By Senator McCain from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 108-426.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1