PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 18, 2025
Broadcast Varied Ownership Incentives for Community Expanded Service Act or the Broadcast VOICES Act
This bill establishes tax incentives for certain transactions that facilitate the ownership and management of broadcast radio stations by socially disadvantaged individuals and imposes related reporting requirements. Under the bill, a socially disadvantaged individual is a woman or an individual who has been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of their membership in a group. (A similar tax incentive, known as the Minority Tax Certificate Program, was in effect from 1978 to 1995.)
Specifically, the bill permits individuals and entities engaged in the qualifying sale of a radio station to elect nonrecognition of the gain or loss resulting from the sale. A qualifying sale is (1) a sale of an interest in a station that results in or preserves ownership of the station by socially disadvantaged individuals, or (2) a sale of some or all of an interest in a station that is owned by socially disadvantaged individuals by an individual or entity that contributed capital in exchange for the interest (e.g., an investor that contributed startup capital). Such sales must also meet other requirements, including a cap on the value of the sale.
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The bill also establishes a tax credit for contributions of radio stations for the training of socially disadvantaged individuals in station management and operations.
Finally, the bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to report to Congress with recommendations for increasing ownership of radio stations by socially disadvantaged individuals.
People & committees
Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] · D–MI
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Oct 16, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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