Restore the Fairness Doctrine Act of 2019

I 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 4401 To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to reinstate the obligation of broadcast licensees to afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance (commonly known as the ‘‘Fairness Doctrine’’). IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 Ms. GABBARD introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to reinstate the obligation of broadcast licensees to afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views on issues of public importance (commonly known as the ‘‘Fairness Doctrine’’). Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Restore the Fairness 4 Doctrine Act of 2019’’. 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:45 Sep 20, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H4401.IH H4401 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS 2 •HR 4401 IH SEC. 2. FAIRNESS DOCTRINE. 1 Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 2 U.S.C. 315) is amended— 3 (1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (e) 4 as subsections (b) through (f), respectively; and 5 (2) by inserting before subsection (b), as so re- 6 designated, the following: 7 ‘‘(a) PUBLIC INTEREST OBLIGATION TO COVER PUB- 8 LICLY IMPORTANT ISSUES.—A broadcast licensee shall af- 9 ford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of con- 10 flicting views on issues of public importance. The enforce- 11 ment and application of the requirement imposed by this 12 subsection shall be consistent with the rules and policies 13 of the Commission in effect on January 1, 1987, including 14 sections 73.1920 and 73.1930 (relating to personal at- 15 tacks and political editorials, respectively) of title 47, Code 16 of Federal Regulations (as in effect on such date).’’. 17 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 21:45 Sep 20, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H4401.IH H4401 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS