United States 116th Congress Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 13 R · 7 D cosponsors

HR 2682 — Agricultural News and Rural Content Act of 2019

Last action — Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

In plain language

The bill requires cable providers to allocate 1% of channel capacity for rural programming.

This bill mandates that video programming distributors with 5,000 or more subscribers dedicate at least 1% of their channel capacity to rural-focused programming. It also requires that this content be easily accessible in the basic service package.

What this means for you
  • Workers: Workers in rural sectors may benefit from increased availability of relevant programming.
  • Families: This bill may improve access to programming that serves rural community interests for families in those areas.
  • Environment: The bill could promote content related to rural environmental issues through dedicated programming.

Summary

Agricultural News and Rural Content Act of 2019 This bill requires certain video programming distributors, such as cable providers, to use at least 1% of their channel capacity to transmit channels of programming that serve the needs and interests of rural areas. Among other requirements, distributors shall (1) use the same transmission technology used to transmit the majority of the high-definition channels they provide, and (2) include such channels in the most basic tier or package available.

Bill Text

Sections of law this bill changes

1 section in 1 law

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-121).

Wire or radio communication · 47 U.S.C. ch. 5 Amends the act as a whole

How this bill changes current law

1 change Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds a new section requiring multichannel video programming distributors to carry rural video programming.

  • 47 U.S.C. § 601

    SEC. 723. CARRIAGE OF RURAL VIDEO PROGRAMMING. (a) Carriage Requirements.-- (1) In general.--A multichannel video programming distributor with 5,000 or more subscribers shall use at least 1 percent of the channel capacity of such distributor to transmit or distribute to all of the subscribers of such distributor channels of video programming that predominantly serve the needs and interests of rural America. (2) Manner of transmission or distribution.--In transmitting or distributing channels under paragraph (1), a multichannel video programming distributor shall-- (A) use the same transmission or distribution technology that the multichannel video programming distributor uses to transmit or distribute the majority of the high-definition channels or programs of such distributor; (B) include such channels in the most basic tier or package of such distributor such that every subscriber of such distributor may access such channels; and (C) place such channels in an appropriate news channel neighborhood. (b) Disclosure Requirements.--A multichannel video programming distributor that is subject to subsection (a) shall-- (1) prominently display, on a publicly available website, a list of the channels of video programming that predominantly serve the needs and interests of rural America included in the most basic tier or package of such distributor; and (2) disclose the information described in paragraph (1) at the point of sale. (c) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Channels of video programming that predominantly serve the needs and interests of rural america.--The term `channels of video programming that predominantly serve the needs and interests of rural America' means unaffiliated and independent channels on which a majority of the video programming per week is dedicated to-- (A) rural news and agricultural weather forecasts; (B) information from the commodity markets (including from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Trade); (C) programming focused on rural healthcare, rural development, and rural education; and (D) other content relating to the needs and interests of farmers and ranchers and the rural lifestyle. (2) Channel neighborhood.--The term `channel neighborhood' means a portion of the channel line-up of a multichannel video programming distributor, or an area on a navigation menu of such a distributor, offering similar programming. (3) Multichannel video programming distributor.--The term `multichannel video programming distributor' has the meaning given such term in section 602. (4) Unaffiliated and independent.--The term `unaffiliated and independent' means, with respect to a channel and a multichannel video programming distributor, that such channel is not vertically integrated with, owned or controlled by, or under common ownership or control with, such distributor. (5) Video programming.--The term `video programming' has the meaning given such term in section 602.

    This change introduces specific requirements for multichannel video programming distributors to provide rural video content.

Action History

  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 19 co-sponsors · 527 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (19)

Not signed on (527)

527 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

technology agriculture
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 2682 do?
Agricultural News and Rural Content Act of 2019 This bill requires certain video programming distributors, such as cable providers, to use at least 1% of their channel capacity to transmit channels of programming that serve the needs and interests of rural areas. Among other requirements, distributors shall (1) use the same transmission technology used to transmit the majority of the high-definition channels they provide, and (2) include such channels in the most basic tier or package available.
Who sponsors HR 2682?
HR 2682 is sponsored by Rush, Bobby L. (Democratic), Rogers, Harold (Republican), Lucas, Frank D. (Republican), Thompson, Glenn (Republican), Soto, Darren (Democratic), Abraham, Ralph Lee (Republican), Gottheimer, Josh (Democratic), Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" (Republican), Newhouse, Dan (Republican), Moolenaar, John R. (Republican), Byrne, Bradley (Republican), Peterson, Collin C. (Democratic), Yoho, Ted S. (Republican), Craig, Angie (Democratic), Cox, TJ (Democratic), LaHood, Darin (Republican), Gonzalez, Vicente (Democratic), Kelly, Trent (Republican), Baird, James R. (Republican), and Rogers, Mike D. (Republican).
What is the current status of HR 2682?
This bill died with 116th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 2682?
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Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

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