Despite Katrina, Industry Expects Action On Digital TV Transition

Technology and telecommunications industry officials eager for a fixed date for the transition to digital television voiced optimism that Congress would act soon, despite uncertainty related to the recovery from Hurricane Katrina. The digital TV language was set to be part of a so-called reconciliation bill, designed to "reconcile" tax and spending initiatives with the congressional budget resolution adopted earlier this year. Despite some fears early last week that Katrina might sidetrack the budget reconciliation process entirely, technology industry officials said that their preferred route remains the plan by House Energy and Commerce Chairman Joe Barton, R-Texas, to include DTV language in a reconciliation bill now delayed until mid-October. Referring to the prospects for the DTV transition measure, an aide to one Republican senator said: "I have no doubt that it will happen. If it was neglected [by Senate leaders], many members would be disappointed because many members see the DTV legislation as Katrina legislation."