Fischer leads bicameral bill to protect access to local broadcast news for rural Nebraska

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) has introduced legislation to ensure that Western Nebraska residents have access to in-state broadcast programming for local news, weather and public safety information.

Satellite subscribers in 16 western Nebraska counties are assigned to so-called Designated Market Areas in other states, such as the Denver or Sioux Falls market areas that may not meet their needs. While a petition process exists at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to correct the designation, it can be a difficult process for rural county commissions to take on themselves, the senator’s office explained.

“No matter where you live in our state, you should have access to broadcast coverage of Nebraska news, weather, sports, and information on local events,” said Sen. Fischer, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

To protect consumers’ access to in-state broadcast programming, Sen. Fischer joined with U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) on Nov. 8 to introduce the bicameral Western Expanded In-State Television (WEST) Access Act of 2019, S. 2829/H.R. 5025.

“I am joining Rep. Smith to introduce the WEST Access Act because local television programming is necessary to keep Nebraskans well-connected and informed about what’s happening in their communities,” the senator said.

If enacted, the legislation would create an exemption in Section 122 of the Copyright Act to allow satellite access to local, in-state TV stations in the 16 Nebraska counties assigned to market areas in other states. The senator’s office said the bill would better enable the FCC to make a decision on county modifications that prioritize the provision of in-state programming.

“Correcting this situation for families in western Nebraska by ensuring they have access to the relevant channels closest to them – a benefit already enjoyed by most Americans – is important to the long-term strength and safety of rural Nebraska,” said Rep. Smith.