NYSBA Returns After Successful DC Trip

It was rainy and cold in DC last week.  Nonetheless, the NYSBA was on Capitol Hill representing radio and television stations throughout New York.  We met with 22 offices over a two-day period. 

With respect to radio, we again urged passage of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (H.R. 979 and S.315).  This legislation would prevent auto manufacturers from taking AM receivers out of their vehicles.  The House Bill (H.R. 979) has 317 cosponsors, including 22 members of Congress from New York, more than enough to pass.  However, it has been stalled on procedural grounds.  We urged members of the New York delegation in the House of Representatives to contact House leadership to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote.  Both Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Gillibrand support the bill.   We requested additional support for the Local Radio Freedom Act (H. Con. Res. 12), which opposes the imposition of a performance tax on local radio stations.  Finally, we requested members of Congress to relax the local radio ownership rules.     

As for television, we requested that Congress allow the FCC to move forward with modifying the national TV ownership rules.  At the present time, an entity may own stations that reach only 39 percent of the national audience.  Cable networks, satellite networks and streaming services operate under no restrictions and can reach 100% of the national audience.  In addition, we asked Congress to urge the FCC to adopt a plan for the orderly transition to Next Gen TV (ATSC 3.0).

Our meetings were very successful.  The NYSBA staff wants to thank members of the Board of Directors and Futures Committee who attended this year’s “Call on Congress.”   These members took time out of their busy schedule to walk the halls of Congress.  All broadcasters in New York should thank them for their efforts.