Results for

This bill authorizes a cable operator to transmit any television broadcast station that (1) is not currently retransmitted to all subscribers in Berkshire County, Massachusetts (located within the designated market area of Albany, New York), and (2) was retransmitted to such subscribers on December 1, 2016.

This bill authorizes a cable operator to transmit any television broadcast station that (1) is not currently retransmitted to all subscribers in Berkshire County, Massachusetts (located within the designated market area of Albany, New York), and (2) was retransmitted to such subscribers on December 1, 2016.

Foreign Entities Reform Act of 2019 This bill requires broadcast, cable, and satellite companies to publicly disclose the source of content from foreign agents that is distributed to American consumers. In addition, such companies must report all requests for broadcast, cablecast, or origination time made by or on behalf of foreign agents.

Broadcast Diversity in Leadership Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish the Broadcast Incubator Program to provide a mechanism for an established broadcaster and an emerging broadcaster to enter into an incubation relationship that supports the entry of new and diverse voices in the broadcasting industry.

Honest Ads Act This bill applies requirements, limitations, and protections regarding political advertising in traditional media to internet or digital political advertising. The bill sets forth special rules for disclosure statements for certain internet or digital ads. Each television or radio station, provider of cable or satellite television, or online platform must ensure that the political advertising it hosts is not directly or indirectly purchased by a foreign national. Online platforms must publish a record of requests to purchase political advertising.

Honest Ads Act This bill applies requirements, limitations, and protections regarding political advertising in traditional media to internet or digital political advertising. The bill sets forth special rules for disclosure statements for certain internet or digital ads. Each television or radio station, provider of cable or satellite television, or online platform must ensure that the political advertising it hosts is not directly or indirectly purchased by a foreign national. Online platforms must publish a record of requests to purchase political advertising.

Open Technology Fund Authorization Act This bill authorizes the existing Open Technology Fund (OTF) as an independent grantee within the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The OTF is an independent nonprofit organization within the purview of the USAGM that supports the development of internet freedom technologies that create ways to counter censorship efforts. As an independent grantee authorized by this bill, the OTF shall seek to advance freedom of the press and unrestricted internet access in repressive environments through functions such as * researching, developing, implementing, and maintaining secure communications tools and technologies that circumvent censorship techniques used to limit or block access to the internet; * advancing internet freedom by supporting private and public sector efforts to provide secure and uncensored access to the internet; and * developing, acquiring, and distributing internet freedom technologies and techniques to fully enable the creation and distribution of digital content between and to all users and audiences. To advance freedom of the press and unrestricted internet access, the OTF shall use methods that include * supporting fully open-source tools, code, and components that are as secure, transparent, and accessible as possible; * supporting technologies that undergo comprehensive security audits; and * establishing safeguards to mitigate the use of supported technologies for illicit purposes. The Department of State must report on the effectiveness of the OTF and the extent to which U.S. interests are being served by its work, and the Government Accountability Office shall have access to all information pertaining to financial transactions as may be necessary to facilitate an audit.

Open Technology Fund Authorization Act This bill authorizes the existing Open Technology Fund (OTF) as an independent grantee within the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The OTF is an independent nonprofit organization within the purview of the USAGM that supports the development of internet freedom technologies that create ways to counter censorship efforts. As an independent grantee authorized by this bill, the OTF shall seek to advance freedom of the press and unrestricted internet access in repressive environments through functions such as * researching, developing, implementing, and maintaining secure communications tools and technologies that circumvent censorship techniques used to limit or block access to the internet; * advancing internet freedom by supporting private and public sector efforts to provide secure and uncensored access to the internet; and * developing, acquiring, and distributing internet freedom technologies and techniques to fully enable the creation and distribution of digital content between and to all users and audiences. To advance freedom of the press and unrestricted internet access, the OTF shall use methods that include * supporting fully open-source tools, code, and components that are as secure, transparent, and accessible as possible; * supporting technologies that undergo comprehensive security audits; and * establishing safeguards to mitigate the use of supported technologies for illicit purposes. The Department of State must report on the effectiveness of the OTF and the extent to which U.S. interests are being served by its work, and the Government Accountability Office shall have access to all information pertaining to financial transactions as may be necessary to facilitate an audit.

Financial Technology Protection Act This bill provides for the investigation of new financial technologies (e.g., digital currencies) and their use in terrorism and other illicit activities. The bill establishes the Independent Financial Technology Task Force to Combat Terrorism and Illicit Financing, which must research terrorist and illicit use of new financial technologies and issue an annual report. The bill directs the Department of the Treasury to provide a reward for a person who provides information leading to the conviction of an individual involved with terrorist use of digital currencies. The bill establishes the FinTech Leadership in Innovation and Financial Intelligence Program to support the development of tools and programs to detect terrorist and illicit use of digital currencies.

Digital Service Act of 2019 This bill authorizes the U.S. Digital Service to make a grant to a state, Indian tribe, or local government to establish or support a team of relevant experts dedicated to modernizing the delivery of government services to the public through information technology. A state, tribe, or local government may receive up to two such grants.

Technology in Criminal Justice Act of 2019 This bill sets forth initiatives to improve the capacity of law enforcement to utilize digital evidence in conducting criminal justice activities. Among other things, the bill does the following: * establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) a new office—the Office of Digital Law Enforcement—to train, support, and prepare criminal justice personnel; * requires DOJ to designate a federal entity to be the Center of Excellence for Digital Forensics; * provides for a review of existing programs that provide training, education, and technical assistance to improve digital evidence capacity of criminal justice personnel; * establishes a new program—a Law Enforcement Technology Support to State and Local Law Enforcement program—to facilitate the use of existing grant funds to improve the digital evidence capacity of law enforcement personnel; and * establishes the Department of Justice Technology Policy Advisory Board to foster dialogue on policy issues.

Consumer Access to Broadband for Local Economies and Competition Act or the CABLE Competition Act This bill modifies the process for transferring a cable franchise to a person to whom such franchise was not initially granted. Specifically, the bill prohibits a cable franchising authority from (1) precluding the transfer of a cable franchise from a cable operator to a person to whom such franchise was not initially granted, or (2) requiring a cable operator that was initially granted a franchise to receive approval from the franchising authority for such a transfer. However, a franchising authority is authorized to require a cable operator to notify the authority of such a transfer.

Consumer Safety Technology Act This bill requires various agencies to explore the use of emerging technologies in the context of consumer products and safety. First, the Consumer Product and Safety Commission must consult with relevant stakeholders, such as data scientists and product manufacturers, and use artificial intelligence in a pilot program for a least one of the following processes: (1) tracking trends in injuries involving consumer products, (2) identifying consumer product hazards, (3) monitoring the sale of recalled consumer products, or (4) identifying consumer products that do not meet specified importation requirements related to product safety. Additionally, the Department of Commerce must consult with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other relevant agencies to study potential applications of blockchain technology (i.e., the technology that supports digital currencies such as Bitcoin), including the use of such technology to address fraud and other unfair or deceptive practices. Finally, the FTC must report on its efforts to address unfair or deceptive trade practices related to digital tokens (i.e., transferable units of a digital currency).

Television Freedom at Our Nation's Airports Act of 2019 This bill revises conditions for the approval of airport improvement grants based on airport owners or operators making certain assurances about airport operations. Specifically, the bill * prohibits airport owners or operators from entering into any agreement in which the content on airport television equipment is controlled by a broadcast or cable television news network, and * prevents television equipment in an airport from being owned exclusively by any specific network.

Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to state and local educational agencies to promote media literacy and digital citizenship. Among other things,media literacyincludes the ability to access relevant information, analyze media content, evaluate the accuracy of information, and make educated decisions about products and services, education, health, and wellness based on information obtained from media and digital sources. The bill definesdigital citizenshipas, among other things, the ability to safely, responsibly, and ethically use communication technologies and to participate in the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of life related to technology and the digital world. ED must establish a Federal Advisory Council to assist in evaluating and awarding grants and developing and making available to states and local educational agencies evidence-based model curricula and standards for media literacy education. The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on media literacy and digital citizenship competencies in schools, and related issues.

Digital Global Access Policy Act of 2019 or the Digital GAP Act This bill directs the Department of State to advance U.S. policy to promote public and private investments in secure Internet infrastructure and increase Internet access around the world. The U.S. Agency for International Development and the Peace Corps shall also make efforts to advance such policy. The President shall report to Congress about U.S. efforts to implement the policy, including government efforts to provide technical and regulatory assistance to developing countries and close the gender gap in Internet access.

Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Act This bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to state and local educational agencies to promote media literacy and digital citizenship. Media literacyincludes the ability to access relevant information, analyze media content, evaluate the accuracy of information, and make educated decisions about products and services, education, health, and wellness based on information obtained from media and digital sources. Digital citizenshipincludes the ability to safely, responsibly, and ethically use communication technologies and to participate in the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of life related to technology and the digital world. A state educational agency must use grant funds to carry out one or more specified activities, specifically (1) creating and supporting a media literacy advisory council, (2) assisting local educational agencies in the development of instruction in media literacy, (3) assisting local agencies in developing means of evaluating student learning in media literacy, and (4) assisting local agencies in developing or providing professional development for teachers that relates to media literacy.

Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry. Specifically, the bill allows companies engaged in the qualifying sale of a broadcast station to receive favorable tax treatment by electing nonrecognition of the gain or loss resulting from the sale. To qualify for this treatment, the sale must result in or preserve ownership of a broadcast station by socially disadvantaged individuals. The bill also requires the FCC to foster investment in broadcast stations owned by socially disadvantaged individuals.

Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act of 2019 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry. Specifically, the bill allows companies engaged in the qualifying sale of a broadcast station to receive favorable tax treatment by electing nonrecognition of the gain or loss resulting from the sale. To qualify for this treatment, the sale must result in or preserve ownership of a broadcast station by socially disadvantaged individuals. The bill also requires the FCC to foster investment in broadcast stations owned by socially disadvantaged individuals.

Cable Access for Broadband and Local Economic Leadership Act or the CABLE Leadership Act This bill establishes deadlines for a cable franchising authority to act on a complete request for a new franchise and on a complete non-emergency request for authorization to modify or upgrade a cable system or facility. The bill also (1) deems such requests granted on the day after these deadlines expire if the franchising authority has not granted or denied the request by such date, and (2) outlines when such requests shall be considered complete.

This resolution recognizes the role that broadcasting to Cuba serves in providing outside information to the Cuban people and honors those at Radio and TV Martí, administered through the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, for their commitment and dedication to informing the Cuban people.

Fairness in Political Advertising Act of 2019 This bill requires radio and television broadcasters to make free broadcast time available for political advertising. Specifically, during an election year, broadcasters generally must allot at least two hours of free broadcast time to each qualified political candidate in a statewide or national election. A broadcaster that fails or refuses to comply with the bill shall not have its license or franchise renewed.

Transparency for Cable Consumers Act This bill requires cable operators and internet service providers that have been directed to pay at least $1,000,000 to a state in fines or penalties to submit an annual report to the Federal Communications Commission that includes both consumer and internet service data.

Ask Musicians For Music Act of 2019 This bill establishes that the copyright owner of a sound recording has the exclusive right to perform the recording through an audio transmission. Currently, the copyright owner's performance right generally only covers digital audio transmission, which excludes certain terrestrial radio stations. A radio station must obtain express permission from the copyright owner of the sound recording before making such a transmission, unless the transmission consists of a religious assembly or incidental use of the recording. A radio station with revenues of less than $1 million per year shall pay $500 per year to the copyright owner to obtain such permission to use a sound recording. A public broadcast entity or individual terrestrial broadcast station shall pay no more than $100 per year to obtain permission from the copyright owner.