PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 6, 1997
Digital Television Conversion Act of 1997 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require television broadcast licensees to provide free digital video programming service (VPS) at least comparable in resolution to VPS provided as of the beginning of 1997 during the same periods of time as VPS offered as of the beginning of such year. Requires licensees of: (1) the four largest commercial broadcast networks serving the ten largest broadcast markets to provide digital VPS no later than May 1, 1999; and (2) all other licensees in the ten largest broadcast markets and licensees of the four largest commercial networks serving the 11th through 30th markets to provide digital VPS no later than November 1, 1999. Requires the return to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of the analog spectrum assigned to television stations providing digital VPS no later than: (1) January 1, 2006, for commercial stations; and (2) January 1, 2007, for noncommercial stations. Authorizes the FCC, under specified circumstances, to grant extensions of the time required for the provision of digital VPS, but not beyond January 1, 2007.
People & committees
Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] · R–AZ
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4006-4007)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
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.
AI Conversation Starters
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.
Analyze S.705 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.
Examine S.705 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.
Examine S.705 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.
Examine S.705 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.