The Local Community Radio Act of 2007 is progressing through Congress. Links to HR 2802, the House version, and S 1675 IS, the Senate version, are below. The measure requires the FCC to drop Third Adjacent Channel Protection and start issuing licenses for Low Power FM radio stations. If passed, high demand for the licenses will probably make it difficult for AM stations to obtain licenses for translators to fill-in their night time signals. The measure has passed the Senate Commerce committee and on the House side, it has been referred to the subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

Pictured above is second-term Senator John Ensign (R-NV) during a meeting with a delegation of Nevada's broadcasters at his office in Washington, D.C. on February 28, 2007.

Pictured above is third-term 3rd District Congressman Jon Porter (R-NV) during a meeting with a delegation of Nevada's broadcasters at his office in Washington, D.C. on February 28, 2007.

Pictured above is newly elected 2nd District Congressman Dean Heller (R-NV) during his first meeting in Washington, D.C. with a delegation of Nevada's broadcasters, on February 28, 2007.

Pictured above is Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons who had lunch together with a delebation of Nevada's broadcasters, on February 27, 2007 in Washington, D.C.

Pictured above is part of the delegation that represented Nevada's broadcasters at the NAB State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. The group is standing in front of the U.S. Supreme Court -- en route to a meeting with Congressman Jon Porter. The other half of the Nevada delegation met together with Senate Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) and members of his staff. All congressional meetings were held on February 28, 2007.

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"Nothing in this Act shall be understood or construed to give the
Commission the power of censorship over the radio communications or
signals transmitted by any radio station, and no regulation or condition
shall be promulgated or fixed by the Commission which shall interfere
with the right of free speech by means of radio communication."

SEC. 326. [47 U.S.C. 326] CENSORSHIP. The Communication Act of 1934

LEGISLATIVE PROJECTION:  JUNE-DECEMBER, 2005

We can expect legislative initiatives dealing with, among other issues, indecency and the DTV transition, as well as a rewrite of the 1996 Telecom Act which could place on the table for consideration a myriad of issues involving market concentration, and the competitive relationships between broadcast, cable, satellites, telcos and the Internet.

NBA PROJECTION:  JUNE-DECEMBER, 2005

The NBA has an excellent track record of working with the NAB on Federal legislative issues, and with working with NASBA and other state associations on issues before the FCC. The key is to continue to work with the NAB and NASBA on issues generally, to monitor what is happening before Congress and the FCC, and be ready to bring relevant matters before the leadership of the NBA with a recommendation for action. Particularly given the prestige and influence of the Nevada delegation in Washington, the NBA will continue its efforts to maintain constructive dialogues with all members of the Nevada delegation in order to maintain and further increase their respect for the important, community by community, service provided by broadcasters, to alert the delegation to the technological and economic challenges facing the broadcast industry, and to gain their full understanding and clear support on the many issues confronting the industry.