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Week Ending May 19, 2006

S.193 A bill to increase the penalties for violations by television and radio broadcasters of the prohibitions against transmission of obscene, indecent, and profane language.

The bill “Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that,…

… if the violator of the terms and conditions of any Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license, permit, or certificate is either a broadcast station licensee or permittee or an applicant for a broadcast license, permit, or certificate, and such violator is determined by the FCC to have broadcast obscene, indecent, or profane language, the amount of forfeiture penalty shall not exceed $325,000 for each violation or day of such violation, to a maximum of $3 million for any single act or failure to act.” according to the Congressional Research Service.

Sponsor: Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS)

Vote: Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent May 18, 2006

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost. The original bill imposes fines on those who broadcast obscene material. This bill modifies the extent to which they can be fined.

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