[First Reprint]

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 28

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MARCH 14, 1996

By Senator INVERSO

A Senate Resolution encouraging the New Jersey Congressional Delegation to support federal legislation providing for greater local television coverage for the State of New Jersey.

Whereas, The residents of New Jersey have a strong desire to receive television coverage of local news and information ¹[of] concerning¹ their immediate community; and

Whereas, The small number of full power television stations allocated to the State of New Jersey is inadequate to meet the television coverage needs of the State; and

Whereas, There are ¹[five] seven¹ licensed Low Power Television (LPTV) stations ¹and three New Jersey Network (NJN) Low Power Television repeaters¹ on the air, which cover local news and community information, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized the construction of 16 ¹[additional] more independent¹ LPTV stations ¹, and three construction permits for NJN,¹ in the State of New Jersey; and

Whereas, LPTV stations do not have the right, enjoyed by full power stations, to be carried on the local cable systems within New Jersey because of a provision in the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992, which limits "Must Carry" ¹rights¹ to LPTV stations outside the largest 160 Metropolitan Statistical Areas and communities of license with populations less than 35,000; and

Whereas, The cable operators of New Jersey have been very reluctant to carry LPTV stations unless legally compelled to do so, even when LPTV stations are broadcasting local news and community information; and

Whereas, This provision in the federal law and the conduct of cable systems severely hamper the ability of LPTV stations to provide local news and community information desired by residents of New Jersey; and

Whereas, The FCC is planning the transition of television broadcasting from analog to digital but has not provided for the same transition for LPTV stations, and the FCC's failure to preserve LPTV service during and after the transition to digital broadcasting threatens the future of the local news and community information provided by those stations to the State of New Jersey; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for this House to urge the New Jersey Congressional Delegation to introduce and support legislation to grant "Must Carry" rights for LPTV stations ¹for the regions they serve¹ within the State of New Jersey when those stations broadcast local news and community information on a regular basis and to ensure the preservation of LPTV service during and after the transition from analog to digital television, as such legislation will greatly benefit the citizens of the State of New Jersey; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

    1. The New Jersey Congressional Delegation is urged to introduce and support legislation to grant "Must Carry" rights for Low Power Television stations ¹for the regions they serve¹ within the State of New Jersey when those stations broadcast local news and community information on a regular basis and to ensure the preservation of Low Power Television service during and after the transition from analog to digital television.

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to each member of Congress elected thereto from this State.

Urges NJ Congressional Delegation to support federal legislation providing for greater local television coverage.