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HR 3957 116th Congress House

Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act of 2019

Official title: To direct the Federal Communications Commission to take certain actions to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 30, 2019 See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesBusiness investment and capitalCapital gains tax
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Congressional oversightCorporate finance and managementFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Government studies and investigationsIncome tax deductionsIncome tax deferralLicensing and registrationsMinority and disadvantaged businessesWomen in business
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 9, 2020
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Sep 9, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 10, 2020
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Mar 10, 2020
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 25, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Jul 25, 2019
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
Jul 25, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 9, 2020

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act of 2019

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry.

Specifically, the bill allows companies engaged in the qualifying sale of a broadcast station to receive favorable tax treatment by electing nonrecognition of the gain or loss resulting from the sale. To qualify for this treatment, the sale must result in or preserve ownership of a broadcast station by socially disadvantaged individuals.

The bill also requires the FCC to foster investment in broadcast stations owned by socially disadvantaged individuals.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3957: Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3957/
MLA
"H.R. 3957: Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3957/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3957, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3957/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3957: Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-3957/)
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