SENATE RESOLUTION No. 94

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MAY 22, 1997

By Senator CARDINALE

A Senate Resolution urging the Federal Communications Commission to develop a bidding process for broadcast license award and renewal.

Whereas, The Communications Act of 1934 authorized the federal government to issue licenses for the use of free broadcast spectrum and in return for the use of the broadcast spectrum, broadcasters have committed themselves to operate in the public interest by airing public service announcements, reporting on news, weather and sports, offering emergency information, and providing other services at no cost to the viewer; and

Whereas, American broadcast television captivates millions of Americans for hours each day and provides a variety of services to people of all ages and all walks of life, with many people relying on television as their sole source of news and entertainment; and

Whereas, The Federal Communications Commission (hereinafter, the "FCC") is moving towards implementation of digital television technology which requires licensed stations and networks to convert from analogue to digital technology; and

Whereas, While the FCC is considering a proposal to auction off airwaves designated for high definition television, it is appropriate and in the public interest to provide for an ongoing, competitive marketplace for licenses for the whole broadcast spectrum, including both analogue and digital technology; and

Whereas, An open, competitive marketplace can be achieved more quickly by providing that all broadcast licenses be valid for only five years, rather than the current 15 years, to allow bidding more frequently; and

Whereas, It is also appropriate and in the public interest that this House urge the FCC to encourage a competitive marketplace for broadcast licenses for the whole broadcast spectrum and to make those licenses valid for only five years in order to achieve an ongoing, competitive marketplace; now, therefore,

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

    1.    This House urges the Federal Communications Commission to develop a bidding process for broadcast license award and renewal that would encourage a competitive marketplace for broadcast licenses for the whole broadcast spectrum and to make those licenses valid for only five years in order to achieve an ongoing, competitive marketplace.

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

STATEMENT

    This resolution urges the Federal Communications Commission to to develop a bidding process for broadcast license award and renewal for the whole broadcast spectrum, including analogue and digital technology. The establishment of such a bidding process would provide for an ongoing, competitive marketplace for licenses for the whole broadcast spectrum. The resolution further recommends that broadcast licenses be valid for only five years, rather than the current 15 years, in order to achieve an ongoing, competitive marketplace.

Urges FCC to develop bidding process for broadcast license award and renewal.