Discussion Draft of the Religious Broadcasting Freedom Act.
Re: FCC regulation of the service obligations of noncommercial educational television stations.
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Oxley (R-OH).
Date: January 11, 2000.
Source: The offices of Rep. Oxley and Rep. Pickering both faxed copies to Tech Law Journal. This page was created by retyping the original, and HTML formatting.

[DISCUSSION DRAFT]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. OXLEY (for himself, [insert attached list of cosponsors]) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on _______________

A BILL

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).