To direct the Federal Communications Commission to take certain actions to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry, and for other purposes.
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Committee
Latest Action · April 18, 2024
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The Broadcast VOICES Act directs the Federal Communications Commission to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry, where women own less than 6 percent of television stations and minorities own less than 4 percent. The bill requires the FCC to submit biennial reports to Congress with recommendations for increasing the number and value of broadcast stations owned by women and minorities, and establishes a new tax certificate program that allows sellers of broadcast stations to those socially disadvantaged groups to defer or reduce capital gains taxes on sales up to $50 million. The program requires that stations remain under ownership and control of women or minorities for a minimum of two to three years after purchase, with ongoing certifications every 180 days, and includes a tax credit for donations of broadcast stations to organizations that train socially disadvantaged individuals in station management. The FCC must adopt implementing rules within one year of enactment and must examine whether ownership diversity correlates with viewpoint diversity, reporting its findings to Congress within two years; the tax benefits sunset after 16 years.
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