text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act 
  of 2000''.
  
  SEC. 2. MODIFICATIONS TO LOW-POWER FM REGULATIONS REQUIRED.
  
      (a) Third-Adjacent Channel Protections Required.--
              (1) Modifications required.--The Federal Communications 
          Commission shall modify the rules authorizing the operation of 
          low-power FM radio stations, as proposed in MM Docket No. 99-
          25, to--
                      (A) prescribe minimum distance separations for 
                  third-adjacent channels (as well as for co-channels and 
                  first- and second-adjacent channels); and
                      (B) prohibit any applicant from obtaining a low-
                  power FM license if the applicant has engaged in any 
                  manner in the unlicensed operation of any station in 
                  violation of section 301 of the Communications Act of 
                  1934 (47 U.S.C. 301).
              (2) Congressional authority required for further changes.--
          The Federal Communications Commission may not--
                      (A) eliminate or reduce the minimum distance 
                  separations for third-adjacent channels required by 
                  paragraph (1)(A); or
                      (B) extend the eligibility for application for low-
                  power FM stations beyond the organizations and entities 
                  as proposed in MM Docket No. 99-25 (47 CFR 73.853),
          except as expressly authorized by Act of Congress enacted after 
          the date of the enactment of this Act.
              (3) Validity of prior actions.--Any license that was issued 
          by the Commission to a low-power FM station prior to the date 
          on which the Commission modify its rules as required by 
          paragraph (1) and that does not comply with such modifications 
          shall be invalid.
      (b) Further Evaluation of Need for Third-Adjacent Channel 
  Protections.--
              (1) Pilot program required.--The Federal Communications 
          Commission shall conduct an experimental program to test 
          whether low-power FM radio stations will result in harmful 
          interference to existing FM radio stations if such stations are 
          not subject to the minimum distance separations for third-
          adjacent channels required by subsection (a). The Commission 
          shall conduct such test in no more than nine FM radio markets, 
          including urban, suburban, and rural markets, by waiving the 
          minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels for 
          the stations that are the subject of the experimental program. 
          At least one of the stations shall be selected for the purpose 
          of evaluating whether minimum distance separations for third-
          adjacent channels are needed for FM translator stations. The 
          Commission may, consistent with the public interest, continue 
          after the conclusion of the experimental program to waive the 
          minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels for 
          the stations that are the subject of the experimental program.
              (2) Conduct of testing.--The Commission shall select an 
          independent testing entity to conduct field tests in the 
          markets of the stations in the experimental program under 
          paragraph (1). Such field tests shall include--
                      (A) an opportunity for the public to comment on 
                  interference; and
                      (B) independent audience listening tests to 
                  determine what is objectionable and harmful 
                  interference to the average radio listener.
              (3) Report to congress.--The Commission shall publish the 
          results of the experimental program and field tests and afford 
          an opportunity for the public to comment on such results. The 
          Federal Communications Commission shall submit a report on the 
          experimental program and field tests to the Committee on 
          Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
          Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate not later 
          than February 1, 2001. Such report shall include--
                      (A) an analysis of the experimental program and 
                  field tests and of the public comment received by the 
                  Commission;
                      (B) an evaluation of the impact of the modification 
                  or elimination of minimum distance separations for 
                  third-adjacent channels on--
                              (i) listening audiences;
                              (ii) incumbent FM radio broadcasters in 
                          general, and on minority and small market 
                          broadcasters in particular, including an 
                          analysis of the economic impact on such 
                          broadcasters;
                              (iii) the transition to digital radio for 
                          terrestrial radio broadcasters;
                              (iv) stations that provide a reading 
                          service for the blind to the public; and
                              (v) FM radio translator stations;
                      (C) the Commission's recommendations to the 
                  Congress to reduce or eliminate the minimum distance 
                  separations for third-adjacent channels required by 
                  subsection (a); and
                      (D) such other information and recommendations as 
                  the Commission considers appropriate.
target: Prohibits the FCC, without specific authorization by Congress, from: (1) eliminating or reducing such minimum distance separations for third-adjacent channels; or (2) extending the eligibility for low-power FM stations beyond those organizations and entities proposed in MM Docket No. 99-25.
  Invalidates any previously issued low-power FM station license that does not comply with such rule modifications.
  Directs the FCC to conduct an experimental program to test whether low- power FM stations will result in harmful interference to existing FM radio stations if such stations are not subject to the minimum distance separation requirements. Requires the FCC to: (1) publish test results and allow an opportunity for public comment; and (2) report test results and FCC recommendations on reducing or eliminating minimum distance standards to specified congressional committees.
feat_title: Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 2000