Capps Bill Would Postpone Analog Recovery

Apparently Rep Lois Capps (D-CA) is preparing to introduce a bill, the Short-term Analog Flash and Emergency Readiness Act (SAFER ACT), that would postpone the federal government's recovery of all analog TV spectrum on Feb 17, 2009 and require the Federal Communications Commission to develop a market-by-market plan to make analog TV service available until March 3, 2009. The bill would give the FCC latitude to require at least one analog TV station per-market to stay on the air for an additional two weeks. In some cases, the FCC could allow one powerful analog TV station to serve two adjacent markets. The FCC's program, to be drafted no later than Jan.15, 2009, would ensure that the analog station transmitted emergency information as well information about the digital TV transition. Rep Capps, whose district is 41% Hispanic, would mandate DTV transition information be broadcast in both English and Spanish. Cable operators would not be required to carry the analog stations under Capps' bill.