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117-s-3405117th CongressWALLET

Low Power Protection Act

Sponsored By: Senator Blunt, Roy [R-MO]

Became Law

Summary

Creates a one-year, limited path for certain low-power television stations to win primary Class A status. It directs the Federal Communications Commission to adopt a rule that opens a one-year application window for qualifying stations in small TV markets, subject to local-programming and interference rules.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New Class A path for low-power TV

The law directs the FCC to start rulemaking within 90 days. When the rule takes effect, eligible low-power TV stations get a one-year window to apply for Class A status. To qualify, a station must be in a market with no more than 95,000 TV households as of enactment. It must meet Class A rules, including locally produced programming during the 90 days before enactment, and show it will not cause certain interference. If approved, the license follows full-power terms, and the station must keep meeting the market-size limit. The law does not change FCC decisions from the TV incentive auction on transitions, relocations, or reimbursements.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blunt, Roy [R-MO]

MO • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 12/15/2021

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/15/2022

  • Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 3/15/2022

  • Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]

    MT • D

    Sponsored 9/29/2022

  • Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 9/29/2022

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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