S. 592 would implement the recommendations of the Federal Communications Commission report to the Congress regarding low-power FM service.
Detailed Summary
Local Community Radio Act of 2009 - Repeals provisions in the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, that required the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to: (1) modify rules authorizing the operation of low-power FM radio stations to prescribe minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels; (2) prohibit applicants who have engaged in the unlicensed operation of any station from obtaining a low-power FM license; and (3) conduct a program to test whether low-power FM radio stations will result in harmful interference to existing FM radio stations if minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels are not required.
Requires the FCC to modify its rules to eliminate third-adjacent minimum distance separation requirements between specified stations.
Requires the FCC to retain rules that provide third-adjacent channel protection for full-power noncommercial FM stations that broadcast radio reading services via a subcarrier frequency from potential low-power FM station interference.
Requires the FCC when licensing FM translator stations to ensure: (1) that licenses are available to both FM translator stations and low-power FM stations; and (2) that such decisions are made based on the needs of the local community.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 11/19/2009: Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Date of scheduled consideration. SR-253. 10:00 a.m.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
PocketRadio
(logged in user) June 7, 2009, 7:55pm (report abuse)The Local Community Radio Act must be a counter-move to block the corrupt NAB and iBiquity who wants to give the HD Radio/IBOC jammers more room for the proposed 10db FM-HD power increase. The NAB and iBiquity have always wanted to destroy community-based radio, with the corrupt FCC's approval of HD Radio/IBOC back in 2002.