What This Bill Does
This is a Senate resolution that recognizes why rural and agricultural media programming is important to the United States. The resolution calls for greater access to this type of programming and asks media companies to prioritize delivering it to viewers.
Who It Affects
People living in rural areas, farmers, ranchers, multichannel video programming distributors (companies that deliver cable, satellite or streaming video services), digital and streaming media providers, and all Americans who consume food and are affected by agricultural issues.
Key Provisions
The bill text contains no numbered sections with legislative provisions. This is a resolution that makes statements and requests rather than creating binding requirements.
What Changes
If passed, this resolution would formally declare that the Senate recognizes the importance of rural and agricultural programming and the need for greater access to it. No specific laws or regulations would change.
Important Definitions
Rural and agricultural programming is defined as including agricultural weather, agribusiness news, commodity market news, and western sports. Multichannel video programming distributors are companies that deliver video content to viewers.
III
118TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
S. RES. 113
Recognizing the need for greater access to rural and agricultural media
programming.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
MARCH 15, 2023
Mrs. HYDE-SMITH (for herself, Mr. GRASSLEY, Ms. LUMMIS, and Ms. KLO-
BUCHAR) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the need for greater access to rural and
agricultural media programming.
Whereas individuals living in rural areas in the United States
need access to media content that is relevant to their
daily lives;
Whereas rural and agricultural programming includes agri-
cultural weather, agribusiness news, commodity market
news, and western sports, and this programming is im-
portant to the farmers and ranchers of the United States
for their way of life and making a living;
Whereas rural and agricultural programming covers matters
that affect all individuals in the United States;
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•SRES 113 IS
Whereas all individuals in the United States need to be ex-
posed to, and informed about, what is occurring outside
of the major cities and suburbs of the United States;
Whereas all individuals in the United States feel the effects
of inflation and supply chain shortages, and rural and
agricultural programming is in a unique position to in-
form viewers of the roots of these issues;
Whereas the population of the world is projected to grow
from 7,000,000,000 to approximately 9,000,000,000 by
2050, and agricultural productivity will need to increase
to meet the growing demand for food and the projected
increase in consumption;
Whereas a decrease in investment in agricultural research
and development would result in a negative shock to agri-
cultural productivity;
Whereas an informed public is key to supporting the proper
level of investment in agricultural research and develop-
ment;
Whereas significant consolidation in the media market and
prioritization of consolidated media has had a negative
impact on access to rural and agricultural programming;
and
Whereas multichannel video programming distributors and
providers of digital and streaming media should make de-
livery of rural and agricultural programming, including
agricultural news and western lifestyle content, a priority:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the importance
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of rural and agricultural programming and the need for
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greater access to rural and agricultural media program-
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ming.
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Æ
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