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Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee is holding a hearing to discuss the reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELA), legislation providing satellite subscribers access to broadcast television. Last week, the Committee released a discussion draft of legislation to reauthorize STELA, which included language from H.R. 3196, a bill sponsored by Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green), Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee.

“I am pleased that the Committee has brought forth legislation to reauthorize STELA and incorporated language from my bill, H.R. 3196, that eliminates the 'integration ban' regulation on leased set-top boxes,” said Latta. “The integration ban has forced consumers to pay higher prices for leased boxes and imposed additional energy consumption costs, resulting in more than $1 billion in costs for consumers and businesses and impeding investment and innovation. At a time when technological advancements are occurring at an unprecedented pace, Congress must empower market participants to flexibly and efficiently meet the ever-evolving demands of the consumer. Elimination of the integration ban is a step toward fulfilling that congressional responsibility. I want to thank Subcommittee Chairman Walden and Committee Chairman Upton for including this provision in the STELA reauthorization draft, and I look forward to working with members of the Committee to ensure this legislation becomes law.”

H.R. 3196 has received bi-partisan support with Congressman Gene Green (D-TX), Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL), Congressman John Dingell (D-MI), Congressman John Barrow (D-GA), Congressman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Congressman Jim Matheson (D-UT) and Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) as cosponsors. The integration ban language has also received support from the National Black Chamber of Commerce and the League of Rural Voters. 

The STELA reauthorization draft extends the provisions in the Communications Act that allow satellite providers to offer these distant signals for five years. It also eliminates the sweeps week prohibition on signal changes. Finally, it includes Congressman Latta’s provision from H.R. 3196, eliminating the section of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) rules that require CableCARDs in leased set-top boxes. This provision will give cable companies more set-top box flexibility, allowing the FCC to use other means to regulate the set-top box marketplace.

At the end of 2014, the provisions that allow satellite providers to transmit distant signals to 1.5 million unserved households will expire, unless Congress reauthorizes these provisions. Distant signals are used to serve subscribers in markets where satellite providers do not offer local programming and in unserved parts of the country, where one of the four national broadcast networks does not have an over-the-air affiliate.

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