PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Feb 11, 2009
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)
DTV Delay Act - Amends the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 to delay the transition of television broadcasting from analog to digital to June 13, 2009. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to extend for a 116-day period the licenses for recovered spectrum, including the license period and construction requirements associated with those licenses.
Extends to July 31, 2009, provided additional budget authority is enacted, the deadline for requesting digital-to-analog converter box coupons. Authorizes the issuance, on request, of one replacement coupon for each coupon that expired without being redeemed.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Declares that this Act does not prevent: (1) a station from ending analog broadcasting (and continuing to broadcast exclusively digitally) before June 13, 2009; or (2) a public safety service from beginning operations on spectrum recovered as a result of such voluntary cessation of analog or digital broadcasting.
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to extend through September 30, 2012 (under current law, September 30, 2011), the authority of the FCC to grant a license or permit under provisions relating to competitive bidding.
People & committees
Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV] · D–WV
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 111-4.
Became Public Law No: 111-4.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Cleared for White House.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 264 - 158 (Roll no. 52). (text: CR H984)
House roll call 52 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 264 - 158 (Roll no. 52).(text: CR H984)
House roll call 52 · Individual votesOn motion to commit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 180 - 242 (Roll no. 51).
House roll call 51 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to commit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H996)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Barton(TX) motion to commit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House adding a new section pertaining to Clearance of Public Safety Spectrum, Adjacent Channels, and other Channels Causing Interference.
Mr. Barton (TX) moved to commit with instructions to Energy and Commerce. (consideration: CR H995-997; text: CR H995)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 352.
Rule provides for consideration of S. 352 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 108. (consideration: CR H984-997)
Rule H. Res. 108 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 108 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S. 352 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1050-1051; text as passed Senate: CR S1050-1051)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S1050-1051; text as passed Senate: CR S1050-1051)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.352 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.
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