Stevens Seeking Consensus on DTV Bill That Avoids 'Byrd Rule'

The Senate Commerce Committee is to consider today a bill that would set a hard date (April 7, 2009) for the end of analog TV broadcasts in the US. But, as senators are want to do, a number of Republicans are planning to add amendments to a bill drafted by Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). His goal is to pass a bill as clean as possible of nonfunding provisions. Whatever is passed is headed to a October 26 mark-up hearing by the Senate Budget Committee and inclusion in budget reconciliation legislation (its all about the money, you know.) Chairman Stevens would like to save nonfunding provisions -- concerning multicasting, downconversion of analog signals to digital for cable operators, etc -- for a second digital television bill that could be attached to the budget legislation when it reaches the Senate floor. The budget legislation would set aside $3 billion to subsidize consumer digital-to-analog converter boxes (see more on set-top subsidies below). The second digital television bill would 1) spell out how that subsidy would work , 2) earmark $200 million for conversion of TV translator stations from analog to digital, and 3) set aside $250 million for an emergency 911 services. The second bill might also cover broadcasters public interest obligations.
(Not available online)