[adp-list] S.3304 Passes Through Senate by Unanimous Consent!

[Joel Snyder-ACB]

Dear all,

 

It would be difficult to over-emphasize the historic importance of the
action taken in the Senate today, cited by the announcement by ACB's Eric
Bridges:

 

I am extremely proud to announce that just before 10:00 Eastern, the U.S.
Senate passed S.3304, The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video
Accessibility Act by unanimous consent (UC). 

As you probably read earlier today, Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK)    wanted
extra time to review the legislation which is the prerogative of any senator
when a bill is moving through the UC process. This process is used for
legislation that is considered to be noncontroversial. This evening the
Senator agreed to allow the bill to move and it passed. 

S.3304 has been strengthened by having certain provisions added from
H.R.3101.  Accessible user interfaces allowing for interaction with the
internet and a path for more video described content across the country have
greatly enhanced the bill. This bill will now be passed by the House of
Representatives under suspension and soon  after, will be signed in to law
by the President.

What an evening it has been. I am so grateful to the membership for the
tireless advocacy that has been demonstrated throughout this process! We can
be  proud of the very real progress that has been forged. Hang in everyone,
there is only one more hurdle to jump! We're almost there. 

I will most certainly make everybody aware of the date when the House will
take up 3304. 

 

My understanding is that the following provisions are included in the bill
passed by the Senate this evening:

 

Section 202:  Video description and closed captioning.

Video Description

*	After 1 year, restores FCC rules requiring 4 hours per week of video
description on 9 television channels (top 4 broadcast networks and top 5
cable channels) in the top 25 most populated markets.

*	After 2 years, requires FCC to report to Congress on video
description.
*	After 4 years, permits the FCC to increase video description to 7
hours per week on 9 television channels.
*	After 6 years, requires the FCC to apply the video description
requirements to top 60 
markets (not just the top 25 most populated markets).
*	 After 9 years, requires the FCC to report to Congress on the need
for additional 
markets to carry video description.
*	 After 10 years, permits the FCC to expand video description to 10
new markets annually 
to achieve 100 percent nationwide coverage.

 

I am seeking further clarification regarding the potential for increases
beyond 7 hours per week in future action.  But a great deal of credit goes
to the ACB and Eric Bridges, Mark Richert at the AFB, and the leadership of
COAT.  Bravo, all!

 

Joel

 

 

JOEL SNYDER

Director, Audio Description Project

American Council of the Blind

 <mailto:jsnyder at acb.org> jsnyder at acb.org -- 202 467-5083

www.acb.org/adp

acblogoscan002ACB logo

 

  

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