Broadcast VOICES Act
Sponsored By: Representative Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create regulatory and tax incentives to increase diversity of broadcast ownership. It pairs new FCC reporting and a certificate-based transfer program with tax rules and a charitable credit to encourage sales and training that boost ownership by socially disadvantaged individuals.
Show full summary
- Socially disadvantaged individuals, defined to include women and those subject to racial or ethnic prejudice, would gain new pathways to acquire and manage stations through an FCC certificate that recognizes qualifying sales and requires management participation and majority ownership.
- Sellers and investors in certified transactions could elect nonrecognition of gain or loss under new tax rules, subject to a sale value cap not greater than $50 million and a minimum holding period of 2 to 3 years.
- Donors and nonprofit training groups would get a business tax credit equal to the fair market value of a station donated for training socially disadvantaged individuals, if the recipient holds the station at least two years; donors cannot also take a charitable deduction for that gift.
- The FCC must collect better ownership data, make recommendations to expand socially disadvantaged ownership, issue implementing rules within one year, and the tax provisions include a 16-year sunset.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Tax credit for donating broadcast stations
This bill would create a tax credit when you donate a broadcast station or an interest in one. The credit would equal the fair market value of what you give. You would need to donate to a 170(c)(2) charity that the FCC certifies trains socially disadvantaged people to run stations. The charity would need to keep the station for at least 2 years. You could not also claim a charitable deduction for the same gift. This would apply to contributions in tax years starting after enactment.
Tax certificates for broadcast station sales
The FCC would run a tax certificate program for some broadcast station sales. Deals would need to put ownership and day-to-day control in the hands of socially disadvantaged individuals. Certificates could cover interests worth up to $50,000,000, and buyers would need to hold the station for 2–3 years. Buyers would certify compliance every 180 days, and the FCC would set annual limits on certificates. The FCC would issue the rules within 1 year of enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]
NV • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]
MO • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Sponsored 10/3/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov