HR 3525 IH

To require the Federal Communications Commission to follow normal rulemaking procedures in establishing additional requirements for noncommercial educational television broadcasters.

January 24, 2000

Mr. OXLEY (for himself, Mr. PICKERING, Mr. STEARNS, Mr. LARGENT, Mr. COBURN, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. ARMEY, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. BOEHNER, Mr. BAKER, Mr. BACHUS, Mr. HALL of Texas, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. SCARBOROUGH, MR. BURR of North Carolina, Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina, Mr. THORNBERRY, Mr. SKEEN, Mr. GILLMOR, Mr. DEMINT, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. SHOWS, Mr. WICKER, Mr. COMBEST, Mr. RILEY, Mr. ENGLISH, Mr. METCALF, Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma, Mr. WHITFIELD, Mr. BONILLA, Mr. BRYANT, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. DELAY, Mr. GOODLATTE, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky, Mr. GOODE, Mr. HOBSON, Mr. FOSSELLA, Mr. GUTKNECHT, Mr. NETHERCUTT, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. TIAHRT, Mr. DEAL of Georgia, Mr. RYUN of Kansas, Mrs. CUBIN, Mr. LINDER, Mr. HYDE, Mr. MORAN of Kansas, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. BALLENGER, Mr. TALENT, Mr. COLLINS, Mr. GORDON, Mr. HULSHOF, Mr. ADERHOLT, Mr. WOLF, Mr. DICKEY, Mr. HILL of Montana, and Mr. RAMSTAD) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce

To require the Federal Communications Commission to follow normal rulemaking procedures in establishing additional requirements for noncommercial educational television broadcasters.

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 `Religious Broadcasting Freedom Act'.

SEC. 2. COMPLIANCE WITH RULEMAKING PROCEDURES REQUIRED.

(a) LIMITATION- After the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall not establish, expand, or otherwise modify requirements relating to the service obligations of noncommercial educational television stations except by means of agency rulemaking conducted in accordance with chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, and other applicable law.

(b) TERMINATION OF EFFECT OF ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE- The additional guidance contained in the Commission's memorandum opinion and order in WQED Pittsburg (FCC 99-393), adopted December 15, 1999, and released December 29, 1999, shall not be effective after the date of enactment of this Act except to the extent such guidance is prescribed in accordance with subsection (a).

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