Satellite Legislation: One Step Closer

Representative Howard Coble (R-NC), along with 31 other cosponsors, introduced a new satellite bill (H.R. 1554) on Monday, April 26, 1999. On Tuesday, April 27th, the U.S House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the bill by a vote of 422-1-1. The bill allows Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) providers to legally transmit local broadcast signals, thereby placing LTVS one step closer to its plan of offering local television via satellite to approximately 75% of U.S. TV households. The Senate is expected to vote on a similar bill prior to the Memorial Day recess. The two bills will then be reconciled in a joint conference committee, voted on separately by the House and Senate and finally, presented to President Clinton for signature into law