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

[Audley Blackburn]

Now comes the time for the writing of the emplementing regulations. We need to watch this process very closely. This is where the broadcasters  can get us.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: katiemags at aol.com 
  To: adp-list at acb.org 
  Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2010 10:52 PM
  Subject: Re: [adp-list] S.3304 Passes Through Senate by Unanimous Consent!


  canada must be laughing at us.





  -----Original Message-----
  From: Joel Snyder-ACB <jsnyder at acb.org>
  To: 'ACB Audio Description Project Discussion List' <adp-list at acb.org>
  Sent: Thu, Aug 5, 2010 8:27 pm
  Subject: [adp-list] S.3304 Passes Through Senate by Unanimous Consent!


  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
    a.. 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. 
    a.. After 2 years, requires FCC to report to Congress on video description. 
    b.. After 4 years, permits the FCC to increase video description to 7 hours per week on 9 television channels. 
    c.. After 6 years, requires the FCC to apply the video description requirements to top 60 
    markets (not just the top 25 most populated markets). 
    d..  After 9 years, requires the FCC to report to Congress on the need for additional 
    markets to carry video description. 
    e..  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
  jsnyder at acb.org -- 202 467-5083
  www.acb.org/adp
  ACB logo

    
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