Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 2000

Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 2000 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modify its rules authorizing the operation of low-power FM radio stations to: (1) prescribe minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels (as well as co-channels and first- and second-adjacent channels); and (2) prohibit any applicant from obtaining a low-power FM license if such applicant has engaged in the unlicensed operation of any radio station in violation of FCC radio licensing requirements.

Prohibits the FCC, without specific authorization by Congress, from: (1) eliminating or reducing such minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels; or (2) extending the eligibility for low-power FM stations beyond those organizations and entities proposed in MM Docket No. 99-25.

Invalidates any previously issued low-power FM station license that does not comply with such rule modifications.

Directs the FCC to conduct an experimental program to test whether low- power FM stations will result in harmful interference to existing FM radio stations if such stations are not subject to the minimum distance separation requirements. Requires the FCC to: (1) publish test results and allow an opportunity for public comment; and (2) report test results and FCC recommendations on reducing or eliminating minimum distance standards to specified congressional committees.

[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3439 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3439

  To prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from establishing 
  rules authorizing the operation of new, low power FM radio stations.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 17, 1999

 Mr. Oxley (for himself, Mrs. Cubin, Mr. Stearns, Mr. Pallone, and Mr. 
   Ehrlich) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                         Committee on Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from establishing 
  rules authorizing the operation of new, low power FM radio stations.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act 
of 1999''.

SEC. 2. PROHIBITION.

    (a) Rules Prohibited.--Notwithstanding section 303 of the 
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 303), the Federal Communications 
Commission shall not prescribe rules authorizing the operation of new, 
low power FM radio stations, or establishing a low power radio service, 
as proposed in MM Docket No. 99-25.
    (b) Termination of Previously Prescribed Rules.--Any rules 
prescribed by the Federal Communications Commission before the date of 
enactment of this Act that would be in violation of the prohibition in 
subsection (a) if prescribed after such date shall cease to be 
effective on such date. Any low power radio licenses issued pursuant to 
such rules before such date shall be void.
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