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HR 3989 99th Congress House

Rural Satellite Dish Owners Protection Act

Official title: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the encoding of satellite-transmitted television programming until decoding devices are fully available at reasonable prices.

Introduced: September 19, 1986 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Cable televisionCommunication satellitesCommunications and BroadcastingTelevisionTelevision programs
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This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 29, 1986
Motion to Discharge Committee Filed by Brown (CO). Discharge Petition No: 08.
Mar 6, 1986
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Dec 20, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance.
Dec 18, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Dec 18, 1985
Introduced in House
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 Latest action July 29, 1986

Motion to Discharge Committee Filed by Brown (CO). Discharge Petition No: 08.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Rural Satellite Dish Owners Protection Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit encryption of any satellite cable programming for private viewing beginning 30 days after enactment of this Act, unless: (1) the encryption complies with Federal Communications Commission standards; (2) decryption devices are available for lease or purchase by all interested persons within 60 days after request at a reasonable price relative to manufacturing and distribution costs; and (3) monthly subscription fees for such programming do not exceed fees assessed to cable subscribers within the same vicinity. Provides for the civil enforcement of this Act.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 6
All 6 Democratic 1 Republican 2
R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Sep 19, 1986
BEREUTER, DOUGLAS
· Jul 23, 1986
STENHOLM, CHARLES
· May 21, 1986
 D
Durbin, Richard J.
Illinois · Apr 10, 1986
COMBEST, LARRY
· Mar 5, 1986
 R
Rogers, Harold
Kentucky · Mar 5, 1986
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3989: Rural Satellite Dish Owners Protection Act. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3989/
MLA
"H.R. 3989: Rural Satellite Dish Owners Protection Act." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3989/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3989, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3989/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3989: Rural Satellite Dish Owners Protection Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3989/)
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