PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Authorization Act of 1994

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 1, 1994

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Title II: Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Title III: Assistance for Public Broadcasting Facilities Title IV: National Telecommunications and Information Administration Title V: National Endowment for Children's Educational Television Title VI: Peacesat Program National Telecommunications and Information Administration Authorization Act of 1994 - Title I: General Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, in order to facilitate the development of the national telecommunications and information infrastructure (NTII), to establish and maintain as separate Federal assistance programs: (1) a program for NTII projects which enhance the delivery of diverse social services to the public and support the formulation of a nationwide infrastructure of various information technologies; and (2) a program for public broadcasting projects which extend the delivery of public broadcasting services to as many U.S. citizens as possible, increase the provision of such services for minorities, native Americans, and women, and strengthen the capability of existing public broadcasting entities to provide public broadcasting services to the public. Title II: Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure - Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to add provisions concerning Federal assistance for telecommunications and information infrastructure development through matching grants. Directs such grants to be used to: (1) expand telecommunications networks or systems for health care providers, educational institutions, research facilities, libraries, museums, State and local governments, public safety services, and other social service and public information providers; (2) enhance the ability of such entities to access existing and new sources of information; (3) improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the delivery of social services to urban and rural citizens; (4) support telecommunications demonstration projects in the delivery of social services; and (5) increase the productivity, personal growth, and quality of life for U.S. citizens through efficient access to information. Outlines provisions concerning: (1) grant criteria; (2) application requirements; (3) NTII training and planning activities; (4) required regulations; (5) special consideration for certain meritorious applications; (6) the recovery of grant funds for failed projects or activities; (7) recordkeeping requirements for grant recipients; (8) the collection and dissemination of information through clearinghouses; and (9) the authorization of appropriations to the Secretary for FY 1994 through 1998 for grant purposes. Title III: Assistance for Public Broadcasting Facilities - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to: (1) change "telecommunications" references to "broadcasting"; (2) extend through FY 1996 the authorization of appropriations for Federal assistance for public broadcasting facilities and programs; (3) delete a current requirement of a five-year plan for each public broadcasting facility construction project; (4) require special consideration in the award of such construction grants to native Americans and populations traditionally underserved in the ownership and operation of public broadcasting entities; (5) revise provisions concerning the waiting period before the authorized recovery of funds for failed public broadcasting projects or programs; (6) allow for Federal matching grant funds with respect to grants awarded to a consortium of Indian post-secondary educational institutions; and (7) amend or add definitions under such Act. Title IV: National Telecommunications and Information Administration - Amends the National Telecommunication and Information Administration Organization Act to increase and extend through FY 1996 the authorization of appropriations under such Act. Title V: National Endowment for Children's Educational Television - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend through FY 1996 the authorization of appropriations for the National Endowment for Children's Educational Television. Title VI: Peacesat Program - Extends the authorization of appropriations for activities of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration through FY 1995.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Inouye, Daniel K. [D-HI] · D–HI

Committees

  • Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2182-2183)

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1883 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1883 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1883 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1883 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources