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US S2123
US S2123Broadcast VOICES Act Broadcast Varied Ownership Incentives for Community Expanded Service Act
summary
Introduced
06/18/2025
06/18/2025
In Committee
06/18/2025
06/18/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
119th Congress
Bill Summary
A bill to direct the Federal Communications Commission to take certain actions to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry, and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill aims to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry by establishing a new tax certificate program and reporting requirements for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The bill creates a framework for issuing tax certificates to individuals from socially disadvantaged groups (defined as women or individuals who have experienced racial, ethnic, or cultural prejudice) when they buy or sell broadcast stations. The FCC will be required to submit biennial reports to Congress detailing the number of broadcast stations owned by socially disadvantaged individuals and recommending ways to increase that number. The current ownership data is stark: as of 2023, only 5% of commercial television stations and less than 4% of radio stations are minority-owned, with women owning approximately 10% of FM radio stations. The bill establishes rules for these tax certificates, including a $50 million sale value limit, a minimum 2-3 year holding period for stations, and requirements for continued management by socially disadvantaged individuals. Additionally, the bill creates a tax credit for contributions of broadcast stations to entities that train socially disadvantaged individuals in station management. The program has a 16-year sunset provision and is modeled after a previous minority tax certificate program that operated from 1978 to 1995, during which 287 radio and 40 television station certificates were issued.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (7)
Gary Peters (D)*,
Tammy Baldwin (D),
Richard Blumenthal (D),
Martin Heinrich (D),
Amy Klobuchar (D),
Ben Ray Luján (D),
Brian Schatz (D),
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (on 06/18/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
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State Bill Page | https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2123/all-info |
BillText | https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/s2123/BILLS-119s2123is.pdf |
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