House Committee Approves Low-Power FM Station, Interoperable Communications Bills

The House Commerce Committee approved bills to increase the number of low-power FM radio stations and extend a program to fund interoperable communications. Both had passed easily in the Communications Subcommittee the week before. On voice votes, the committee approved and reported favorably to the House the Local Community Radio Act and the Public Safety Interoperable Communications Act. The first bill, long opposed by broadcasters, reduces the channel separation between low-power and full-power stations to allow more of the former to share the band with the latter. The second bill provides a two-year extension for making use of up to $1 billion in government funding for state and local interoperable communications systems. The money comes from the auction of the 700 mHz DTV spectrum. The bill does not increase the funds, but allows states and localities another two years to make use of them.

H.R. 1147, the "Local Community Radio Act of 2009", Bill Text - Reported favorably by a voice vote

H.R. 3633, the Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program Extension Act of 2009 - Reported favorably by a voice vote