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47 U.S. Code § 396 - Corporation for Public Broadcasting

(a) Congressional declaration of policyThe Congress hereby finds and declares that—
(1)
it is in the public interest to encourage the growth and development of public radio and television broadcasting, including the use of such media for instructional, educational, and cultural purposes;
(2)
it is in the public interest to encourage the growth and development of nonbroadcast public telecommunications services;
(3)
expansion and development of public telecommunications and of diversity of its programming depend on freedom, imagination, and initiative on both local and national levels;
(4)
the encouragement and support of public telecommunications, while matters of importance for private and local development, are also of appropriate and important concern to the Federal Government;
(5)
it furthers the general welfare to encourage public telecommunications services which will be responsive to the interests of people both in particular localities and throughout the United States, which will constitute an expression of diversity and excellence, and which will constitute a source of alternative telecommunications services for all the citizens of the Nation;
(6)
it is in the public interest to encourage the development of programming that involves creative risks and that addresses the needs of unserved and underserved audiences, particularly children and minorities;
(7)
it is necessary and appropriate for the Federal Government to complement, assist, and support a national policy that will most effectively make public telecommunications services available to all citizens of the United States;
(8)
public television and public telecommunications services constitute valuable local community resources for utilizing electronic media to address national concerns and solve local problems through community programs and outreach programs;
(9)
it is in the public interest for the Federal Government to ensure that all citizens of the United States have access to public telecommunications services through all appropriate available telecommunications distribution technologies; and
(10)
a private corporation should be created to facilitate the development of public telecommunications and to afford maximum protection from extraneous interference and control.
(b) Establishment of Corporation; application of District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act

There is authorized to be established a nonprofit corporation, to be known as the “ Broadcasting”, which will not be an agency or establishment of the UnitedDistrict of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act.

(c) Board of Directors; functions, duties, etc.
(2)
The 9 members of the Board appointed by the President (A) shall be selected from among citizens of the United States (not regular full-timeStates) who are eminent in such fields as education, cultural and civic affairs, or the arts, including radio and television; and (B) shall be selected so as to provide as nearly as practicable a broad representation of various regions of the Nation, various professions and occupations, and various kinds of talent and experience appropriate to the functions and responsibilities of the Corporation.
(3)
Of the members of the Board appointed by the President under paragraph (1), one member shall be selected from among individuals who represent the radio stations.
(4)
The members of the initial Board of Directors shall serve as incorporators and shall take whatever actions are necessary to establish the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act.
(5)
The term of office of each member of the Board appointed by the President shall be 6 years, except as provided in section 5(c) of the Public Telecommunications Act of 1992. Any member whose term has expired may serve until such member’s successor has taken office, or until the end of the calendar year in which such member’s term has expired, whichever is earlier. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which such member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. No member of the Board shall be eligible to serve in excess of 2 consecutive full terms.
(6)
Any vacancy in the Board shall not affect its power, but shall be filled in the manner consistent with this chapter.
(7)
Members of the Board shall attend not less than 50 percent of all duly convened meetings of the Board in any calendar year. A member who fails to meet the requirement of the preceding sentence shall forfeit membership and the President shall appoint a new member to fill such vacancy not later than 30 days after such vacancy is determined by the Chairman of the Board.
(d) Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman; compensation of Board members
(1)
Members of the Board shall annually elect one of their members to be Chairman and elect one or more of their members as a Vice Chairman or Vice Chairmen.
(2)
The members of the Board shall not, by reason of such membership, be deemed to be officers or employees of the United States. They shall, while attending meetings of the Board or while engaged in duties related to such meetings or other activities of the Board pursuant to this subpart, be entitled to receive compensation at the rate of $150 per day, including travel­time. No Board member shall receive compensation of more than $10,000 in any fiscal year. While away from their homes or regular places of business, Board members shall be allowed travel and actual, reasonable, and necessary expenses.
(e) Officers and employees; term of office, compensation, qualifications, and removal; political party affiliation, political test or qualification when taking personnel actions
(1)
The section 5312 of title 5. No individual other than a citizen of the United Corporation’s Statement of Ethical Conduct. All officers shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
(2)
Except as provided in the second sentence of subsection (c)(1) of this section, no political test or qualification shall be used in selecting, appointing, promoting, or taking other personnel actions with respect to officers, agents, and employees of the Corporation.
(f) Nonprofit and nonpolitical nature of Corporation
(1)
The Corporation shall have no power to issue any shares of stock, or to declare or pay any dividends.
(2)
No part of the income or assets of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of any director, officer, employee, or any other individual except as salary or reasonable compensation for services.
(3)
The Corporation may not contribute to or otherwise support any political party or candidate for elective public office.
(g) Purposes and activities of Corporation; powers under District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act
(1) In order to achieve the objectives and to carry out the purposes of this subpart, as set out in subsection (a), the Corporation is authorized to—
(A)
facilitate the full development of public telecommunications entities, with strict adherence to objectivity and balance in all programs or series of programs of a controversial nature;
(B)
assist in the establishment and development of one or more interconnection systems to be used for the distribution of public telecommunications services so that all public telecommunications entities may disseminate such services at times chosen by the entities;
(C)
assist in the establishment and development of one or more systems of public States; and
(D)
carry out its purposes and functions and engage in its activities in ways that will most effectively assure the maximum freedom of the public telecommunications entities and systems from interference with, or control of, program content or other activities.
(2) In order to carry out the purposes set forth in subsection (a), the Corporation is authorized to—
(A)
obtain grants from and make contracts with individuals and with private, State, and Federal agencies, organizations, and institutions;
(B) contract with or make grants to public public telecommunications services to be made available for use by public telecommunications entities, except that—
(i)
to the extent practicable, proposals for the provision of assistance by the Corporation; and
(ii)
nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to prohibit the exercise by the Corporation of its prudent business judgement with respect to any grant to assist in the production or acquisition of any program or series of programs recommended by any such panel;
(C)
make payments to existing and new public public telecommunications services by such entities, particularly innovative approaches to such services, and other costs of operation of such entities;
(D)
establish and maintain, or contribute to, a library and archives of noncommercial educational and cultural radio and television programs and related materials and develop public awareness of, and disseminate information about, public telecommunications services by various means, including the publication of a journal;
(E)
arrange, by grant to or contract with appropriate public or private agencies, organizations, or institutions, for public telecommunications services to public telecommunications entities;
(F)
hire or accept the voluntary services of consultants, experts, advisory boards, and panels to aid the Corporation in carrying out the purposes of this subpart;
(G)
conduct (directly or through grants or contracts) research, demonstrations, or training in matters related to public television or radio broadcasting and the use of nonbroadcast communications technologies for the dissemination of noncommercial educational and cultural television or radio programs;
(H)
make grants or contracts for the use of nonbroadcast public telecommunications services; and
(I)
take such other actions as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes set forth in subsection (a).
Nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed to commit the Federal Government to provide any sums for the payment of any obligation of the Corporation which exceeds amounts provided in advance in appropriation Acts.
(3) To carry out the foregoing purposes and engage in the foregoing activities, the nonprofit corporation by the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act, except that the Corporation is prohibited from—
(A)
owning or operating any television or radio broadcast station, system, or network, community antenna television system, interconnection system or facility, program production facility, or any public telecommunications entity, system, or network; and
(B)
producing programs, scheduling programs for dissemination, or disseminating programs to the public.
(4)
All meetings of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, including any committee of the Board, shall be open to the public under such terms, conditions, and exceptions as are set forth in subsection (k)(4).
(5)
The public telecommunications services. Such plan shall be updated annually by the Corporation.
(h) Free or reduced rate interconnection service; access to facilities
(1)
Nothing in this chapter, or in any other provision of law, shall be construed to prevent United States communications common carriers from rendering free or reduced rate communications Commission may prescribe.
(2)
Subject to such terms and conditions as may be established by public public telecommunications entity for the distribution of noncommercial educational and cultural programs to public person shall be denied such access whenever sufficient capacity is available.
(j) Repeal, alteration, or amendment

The right to repeal, alter, or amend this section at any time is expressly reserved.

(k) Financing restrictions
(1)
(A)
There is hereby established in the Treasury a fund which shall be known as the Public Broadcasting Fund (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the “Fund”), to be administered by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(B)
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Fund for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980, an amount equal to 40 percent of the total amount of non-Federal financial support received by public broadcasting entities during the fiscal year second preceding each such fiscal year, except that the amount so appropriated shall not exceed $121,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $140,000,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $160,000,000 for fiscal year 1980.
(C)
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Fund, for each of the fiscal years 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993, an amount equal to 40 percent of the total amount of non-Federal financial support received by public broadcasting entities during the fiscal year second preceding each such fiscal year, except that the amount so appropriated shall not exceed $265,000,000 for fiscal year 1992, $285,000,000 for fiscal year 1993, $310,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, $375,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, and $425,000,000 for fiscal year 1996.
(D)
In addition to any amounts authorized under any other provision of this or any other Act to be appropriated to the Fund, $20,000,000 are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Fund (notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection) specifically for transition from the use of analog to digital technology for the provision of public broadcasting services for fiscal year 2001.
(E)
Funds appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until expended.
(2)
(A)
The funds authorized to be appropriated by this subsection shall be used by the non-Federal financial support received by publicnon-Federal financial support received by a public broadcasting entity during its most recent fiscal year ending before September 30 of the year for which certification is made. Upon receipt of such certification, the Corporation, from such funds as may be appropriated to the Fund, the amount authorized for each of the fiscal years pursuant to the provisions of this subsection.
(B)
Funds appropriated and made available under this subsection shall be disbursed by the Secretary of the Treasury on a fiscal year basis.
(3)
(A)
(i) The Corporation shall establish an annual budget for use in allocating amounts from the Fund. Of the amounts appropriated into the Fund available for allocation for any fiscal year—
(I)
$10,200,000 shall be available for the administrative expenses of the Corporation and not more than 5 percent of all the amounts appropriated into the Fund available for allocation for any fiscal year shall be available for such administrative expenses;
(II)
6 percent of such amounts shall be available for expenses incurred by the public broadcast stations, and if the available funding level permits, for projects and activities that will enhance public broadcasting;
(III)
75 percent of the remainder (after allocations are made under subclause (I) and subclause (II)) shall be allocated in accordance with clause (ii); and
(IV)
25 percent of such remainder shall be allocated in accordance with clause (iii).
(ii) Of the amounts allocated under clause (i)(III) for any fiscal year—
(I)
75 percent of such amounts shall be available for distribution among the stations pursuant to paragraph (6)(B); and
(II)
25 percent of such amounts shall be available for distribution under subparagraph (B)(i), and in accordance with any plan implemented under paragraph (6)(A), for national public television programming.
(iii) Of the amounts allocated under clause (i)(IV) for any fiscal year—
(I)
70 percent of such amounts shall be available for distribution among the radio stations pursuant to paragraph (6)(B);
(II)
7 percent of such amounts shall be available for distribution under subparagraph (B)(i) for public radio programming; and
(III)
23 percent of such amounts shall be available for distribution among the radio stations pursuant to paragraph (6)(B), solely to be used for acquiring or producing programming that is to be distributed nationally and is designed to serve the needs of a national audience.
(iv)
(I)
From the amount provided pursuant to clause (i)(II), the public broadcast stations.
(II)
Of the amounts received as the result of any contract, lease agreement, or any other arrangement under which the radio stations. The licensees and permittees.
(v) Of the interest on the amounts appropriated into the Fund which is available for allocation for any fiscal year—
(I)
75 percent shall be available for distribution for the purposes referred to in clause (ii)(II); and
(II)
25 percent shall be available for distribution for the purposes referred to in clause (iii)(II) and (III).
(B)
(i)
The telecommunications entities and producers for the production of programs in languages other than English. Of the funds utilized pursuant to this clause, a substantial amount shall be distributed to independent producers and production entities, producers of national children’s educational programming, and producers of programming addressing the needs and interests of minorities for the production of programs.
(ii)
All funds available for distribution under clause (i) shall be distributed to entities outside the Corporation.
(iii)
(I)
For fiscal year 1990 and succeeding fiscal years, the Corporation shall, in carrying out its obligations under clause (i) with respect to public television programming, provide adequate funds for an independent production service.
(II)
Such independent production service shall be separate from the Corporation for the expenditure of funds for the production of public television programs by independent producers and independent production entities.
(III)
(4)
Funds may not be distributed pursuant to this subsection to the Public Broadcasting Service or National Public Radio (or any successor organization), or to the licensee or permittee of any public broadcast station, unless the governing body of any such organization, any committee of such governing body, or any advisory body of any such organization, holds open meeting of the board, or of any such committee or body, and no person shall be required, as a condition to attendance at any such meeting, to register such person’s name or to provide any other information. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent any such board, committee, or body from holding closed sessions to consider matters relating to individual employees, proprietary information, litigation and other matters requiring the confidential advice of counsel, commercial or financial information obtained from a person on a privileged or confidential basis, or the purchase of property or services whenever the premature exposure of such purchase would compromise the business interests of any such organization. If any such meeting is closed pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph, the organization involved shall thereafter (within a reasonable period of time) make available to the public a written statement containing an explanation of the reasons for closing the meeting.
(5)
Funds may not be distributed pursuant to this subsection to any public telecommunications entity that does not maintain for public examination copies of the annual financial and audit reports, or other information regarding finances, submitted to the[1]
(6)
(B) The licensee and permittee of a public television station that is on the air. The broadcasting, and on the basis of a formula designed to—
(i)
provide for the financial needs and requirements of stations in relation to the communities and audiences such stations undertake to serve;
(ii)
maintain existing, and stimulate new, sources of non-Federal financial support for stations by providing incentives for increases in such support; and
(iii)
assure that each eligible licensee and permittee of a public radio station receives a basic grant.
(7)
The funds distributed pursuant to paragraph (3)(A)(ii)(I) and (iii)(I) may be used at the discretion of the recipient for purposes related primarily to the production or acquisition of programming.
(8)
(A)
Funds may not be distributed pursuant to this subpart to any public broadcast station (other than any station which is owned and operated by a station establishes a community advisory board. Any such station shall undertake good faith efforts to assure that (i) its advisory board meets at regular intervals; (ii) the members of its advisory board regularly attend the[2] reasonably representative of the diverse needs and interests of the communities served by such station.
(B)
The board shall be permitted to review the programming goals established by the station, the service provided by the station, and the significant policy decisions rendered by the station. The board may also be delegated any other responsibilities, as determined by the governing body of the station. The board shall advise the governing body of the station with respect to whether the programming and other policies of such station are meeting the specialized educational and cultural needs of the communities served by the station, and may make such recommendations as it considers appropriate to meet such needs.
(C)
The role of the board shall be solely advisory in nature, except to the extent other responsibilities are delegated to the board by the governing body of the station. In no case shall the board have any authority to exercise any control over the daily management or operation of the station.
(D)
In the case of any public broadcast station (other than any station which is owned and operated by aNovember 2, 1978, such station shall comply with the requirements of this paragraph with respect to the establishment of a community advisory board not later than 180 days after November 2, 1978.
(E)
The provision of subparagraph (A) prohibiting the distribution of funds to any public broadcast station (other than any station which is owned and operated by a station establishes a community advisory board shall be the exclusive remedy for the enforcement of the provisions of this paragraph.
(9)
Funds may not be distributed pursuant to this subsection to the Public Broadcasting Service or National Public Radio (or any successor organization) unless assurances are provided to the [3] 4958 of title 26 for services that the officer or employee renders to organization,[4] and unless further assurances are provided to the Corporation that no officer or employee of such an entity will be loaned money by that entity on an interest-free basis.
(10)
(A)
There is hereby established in the Treasury a fund which shall be known as the Public Broadcasting Satellite Interconnection Fund (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the “Satellite Interconnection Fund”), to be administered by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(B)
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Satellite Interconnection Fund, for fiscal year 1991, the amount of $200,000,000. If such amount is not appropriated in full for fiscal year 1991, the portion of such amount not yet appropriated is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 1992 and 1993. Funds appropriated to the Satellite Interconnection Fund shall remain available until expended.
(C)
The Secretary of the Treasury shall make available and disburse to the Interconnection Fund for the fiscal year in which such disbursement is to be made.
(D) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection except paragraphs (4), (5), (8), and (9), all funds appropriated to the Satellite Interconnection Fund and interest thereon—
(i)
shall be distributed by the broadcast stations providing public telecommunications services or the national entity they designate for satellite interconnection system or the national entity they designate for satellite interconnection systems and associated maintenance of such systems; and
(ii)
shall not be used for the administrative costs of the Corporation.
(11)
(A) Funds may not be distributed pursuant to this subsection for any fiscal year to the licensee or permittee of any public broadcast station if such licensee or permittee—
(i)
fails to certify to the licensee or permittee complies with the Commission’s regulations concerning equal employment opportunity as published under section 73.2080 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulations thereto; or
(ii)
fails to submit to the Corporation the report required by subparagraph (B) for the preceding calendar year.
(B) A licensee or permittee of any public broadcast station with more than five full-time employees in each of the following full-time and part-time job categories:
(i)
Officials and managers.
(ii)
Professionals.
(iii)
Technicians.
(iv)
Semiskilled operatives.
(v)
Skilled craft persons.
(vi)
Clerical and office personnel.
(vii)
Unskilled operatives.
(viii)
Service workers.
(C)
In addition, such report shall state the number of job openings occurring during the course of the year. Where the job openings were filled in accordance with the regulations described in subparagraph (A)(i), the report shall so certify, and where the job openings were not filled in accordance with such regulations, the report shall contain a statement providing reasons therefor. The statistical report shall be available to the public at the central office and at every location where more than five full-time employees are regularly assigned to work.
(12) Funds may not be distributed under this subsection to any public broadcasting entity that directly or indirectly—
(A)
rents contributor or donor names (or other personally identifiable information) to or from, or exchanges such names or information with, any Federal, State, or local candidate, political party, or political committee; or
(B) discloses contributor or donor names, or other personally identifiable information, to any nonaffiliated third party unless—
(i)
such entity clearly and conspicuously discloses to the contributor or donor that such information may be disclosed to such third party;
(ii)
the contributor or donor is given the opportunity, before the time that such information is initially disclosed, to direct that such information not be disclosed to such third party; and
(iii)
the contributor or donor is given an explanation of how the contributor or donor may exercise that nondisclosure option.
(l) Financial management and records
(1)
(A)
The accounts of the States, except that such requirement shall not preclude shared auditing arrangements between any public telecommunications entity and its licensee where such licensee is a public or private institution. The audits shall be conducted at the place or places where the accounts of the person or person or persons.
(B)
The report of each such independent audit shall set forth the scope of the audit and include such statements as are necessary to present fairly the Corporation’s income and expenses during the year, and a statement of the sources and application of funds, together with the independent auditor’s opinion of those statements.
(2)
(B)
A report of each such audit shall be made by the Comptroller General to the Congress. The report to the Congress shall contain such comments and information as the Comptroller General may deem necessary to inform Congress of the financial operations and condition of the Secretary, and to theCongress.
(3)
(A)
Not later than 1 year after November 2, 1978, the telecommunications purposes by such entities.
(B) Each public telecommunications entity receiving funds under this subpart shall be required—
(i)
to keep its books, records, and accounts in such form as may be required by the Corporation;
(ii)
(I)
to undergo a biennial audit by independent certified public accountants or independent licensed public accountants certified or licensed by a regulatory authority of a State, which audit shall be in accordance with auditing standards developed by the Corporation, in consultation with the Comptroller General; or
(II)
to submit a financial statement in lieu of the audit required by subclause (I) if the Corporation determines that the cost burden of such audit on such entity is excessive in light of the financial condition of such entity; and
(iii)
to furnish biennially to the Corporation may require.
(C)
Any recipient of assistance by grant or contract under this section, other than a fixed price contract awarded pursuant to competitive bidding procedures, shall keep such records as may be reasonably necessary to disclose fully the amount and the disposition by such recipient of such assistance, the total cost of the proj­ect or undertaking in connection with which such assistance is given or used, and the amount and nature of that portion of the cost of the project or undertaking supplied by other sources, and such other records as will facilitate an effective audit.
(D)
(4)
(B) Subsequent to any award of funds by the Corporation shall make available for public inspection the following:
(i)
Grant and solicitation guidelines for proposals for such programming.
(ii)
The reasons for selecting the proposal for which the award was made.
(iii)
Information on each program for which the award was made, including the names of the awardee and producer (and if the awardee or producer is a corporation or partnership, the principals of such corporation or partnership), the monetary amount of the award, and the title and description of the program (and of each program in a series of programs).
(iv)
A report based on the final audit findings resulting from any audit of the award by the Corporation or the Comptroller General.
(v)
Reports which the broadcasting programming funded, produced, or acquired by the awardee with such funds. Such reports shall include, where applicable, the information described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), but shall exclude proprietary, confidential, or privileged information.
(C)
The Corporation on an annual basis from each recipient of funds under subsection (k)(3)(A)(iii)(III), excluding proprietary, confidential, or privileged information.
(D)
The broadcasting entities that receive funds under subsection (k)(3)(A)(ii)(III) or (iii)(II) and are engaged primarily in the national distribution of public television or radio programs. Such list shall include the names of the programs (or program series), producers, and providers of funding.
(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 396, as added Pub. L. 90–129, title II, § 201(9), Nov. 7, 1967, 81 Stat. 368; amended Pub. L. 90–294, Apr. 26, 1968, 82 Stat. 108; Pub. L. 91–97, § 3, Oct. 27, 1969, 83 Stat. 146; Pub. L. 91–437, § 2, Oct. 7, 1970, 84 Stat. 888; Pub. L. 92–411, § 1, Aug. 29, 1972, 86 Stat. 643; Pub. L. 93–84, § 1(a), (b), Aug. 6, 1973, 87 Stat. 219; Pub. L. 94–192, §§ 2–4, Dec. 31, 1975, 89 Stat. 1099, 1100; Pub. L. 95–567, title III, §§ 301–303(a), 304–307(a), 308, Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2411, 2412, 2414, 2415, 2419; Pub. L. 97–35, title XII, §§ 1224, 1225(a)(1), (b), (c), 1226, 1227(a)–(c)(3), (d)(1), (2), (e)–(g), 1228, 1234(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 725–730, 736; Pub. L. 98–214, §§ 3, 5, 6, Dec. 8, 1983, 97 Stat. 1467–1469; Pub. L. 99–272, title V, § 5001(c), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 117; Pub. L. 100–626, §§ 3, 4(a), 5–9(a), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3207–3211; Pub. L. 102–356, §§ 4, 5(a), (b), 6–14, Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 949–953; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VII, § 701], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–389; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [title V, § 5002(a)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–592; Pub. L. 107–20, title II, § 2702, July 24, 2001, 115 Stat. 182; Pub. L. 108–271, § 8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814; Pub. L. 115–141, div. P, title IV, § 402(i)(8), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1090.)


[1]  So in original. Probably should be “(l)(3)(B).”

[2]  So in original. Probably should be “is”.

[3]  So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.

[4]  So in original. Probably should be “the organization,”.
Editorial Notes
References in Text

The District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act, referred to in subsecs. (b), (c)(4), and (g)(3), is Pub. L. 87–569, Aug. 6, 1962, 76 Stat. 265, which is not classified to the Code.

Section 5(c) of the Public Telecommunications Act of 1992, referred to in subsec. (c)(5), is section 5(c) of Pub. L. 102–356, which is set out below.

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (c)(6), (h)(1), and (k)(6)(A), was in the original “this Act”, meaning act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064, known as the Communications Act of 1934, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 396, act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title III, § 396, as added May 1, 1962, Pub. L. 87–447, 76 Stat. 67, was renumbered section 394 by Pub. L. 90–129, and subsequently renumbered section 393A by Pub. L. 101–437, and is classified to section 393a of this title.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 115–141, § 402(i)(8)(A), struck out subsec. (i) which required theCongress a comprehensive annual report.

Subsec. (k)(1)(F). Pub. L. 115–141, § 402(i)(8)(B)(i), struck out subpar. (F) which read as follows: “In recognition of the importance of educational programs and services, and the expansion of public radio services, to unserved and underserved audiences, theCongress an annual report for each of the fiscal years 1994, 1995, and 1996 on the Corporation’s activities and expenditures relating to those programs and services.”

Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(iii)(V). Pub. L. 115–141, § 402(i)(8)(B)(ii), struck out subcl. (V) which read as follows: “TheCongress regarding the activities and expenditures of the independent production service, including carriage and viewing information for programs produced or acquired with funds provided pursuant to subclause (I). At the end of fiscal years 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995, theCongress evaluating the performance of the independent production service in light of its mission to expand the diversity and innovativeness of programming available to public broadcasting.

Subsec. (l)(1)(B). Pub. L. 115–141, § 402(i)(8)(C), struck out “shall be included in the annual report required by subsection (i) of this section. The audit report” after “each such independent audit”.

Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 115–141, § 402(i)(8)(D), struck out subsec. (m). Text read as follows:

“(1) Prior to July 1, 1989, and every three years thereafter, the telecommunications entities. Such assessment shall address the needs of racial and ethnic minorities, new immigrant populations, people for whom English is a second language, and adults who lack basic reading skills.

“(2) Commencing July 1, 1989, the Corporation in the previous year’s annual report.

“(3) As soon as they have been prepared, each assessment and annual report required under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be submitted to Congress.”

2004—Subsec. (l)(2)(A). Pub. L. 108–271 substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office” in two places.

2001—Subsec. (k)(1)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 107–20 added subpar. (D) and redesignated former subpars. (D) and (E) as (E) and (F), respectively.

1999—Subsec. (k)(12). Pub. L. 106–113 added par. (12).

1998—Subsec. (k)(9). Pub. L. 105–277, which directed the amendment of section 396(k)(9) of Title 47, UnitedSection 4958 of title 26 for services that the officer or employee renders to organization” for “at an annual rate of pay which exceeds the rate of basic pay in effect from time to time for level I of the Executive Schedule under 5312 of title 5,”, was executed to subsec. (k)(9) of this section, which is section 396 of the Communications Act of 1934, by making the substitution for text which contained “under section 5312” rather than “under 5312”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1992—Subsec. (a)(8) to (10). Pub. L. 102–356, § 4, added pars. (8) and (9) and redesignated former par. (8) as (10).

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 102–356, § 5(a)(1), substituted “9” for “10” and “5” for “6”.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 102–356, § 5(a)(2), substituted “9” for “10”.

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 102–356, § 5(b), amended par. (5) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (5) read as follows: “The term of office of each member of the Board appointed by the President shall be 5 years, except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. No member of the Board shall be eligible to serve in excess of 2 consecutive terms of 5 years each.”

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 102–356, § 6, inserted fourth sentence and struck out former fourth sentence which read as follows: “No officer of the Corporation.

Subsec. (i)(1)(C), (D). Pub. L. 102–356, § 7, added subpar. (C) and redesignated former subpar. (C) as (D).

Subsec. (k)(1)(C). Pub. L. 102–356, § 8(a), inserted provisions authorizing appropriations of $310,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, $375,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, and $425,000,000 for fiscal year 1996, and struck out provisions authorizing appropriations of $180,000,000 for fiscal year 1981, $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1982, $220,000,000 for fiscal year 1983, $145,000,000 for fiscal year 1984, $153,000,000 for fiscal year 1985, $162,000,000 for fiscal year 1986, $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1987, $214,000,000 for fiscal year 1988, $238,000,000 for fiscal year 1989, $254,000,000 for fiscal year 1990, and $245,000,000 for fiscal year 1991.

Subsec. (k)(1)(E). Pub. L. 102–356, § 8(b), added subpar. (E).

Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(i)(II). Pub. L. 102–356, § 9, inserted “or for assistance in the provision of affordable training programs for public broadcast stations” after “other than English”.

Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(iii)(V). Pub. L. 102–356, § 10, inserted before period at end of first sentence “, including carriage and viewing information for programs produced or acquired with funds provided pursuant to subclause (I)” and substituted “fiscal years 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995” for “fiscal year 1992” in second sentence.

Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(iii)(VI). Pub. L. 102–356, § 14(b), added subcl. (VI).

Subsec. (k)(6)(B). Pub. L. 102–356, § 11, inserted “(which the licensees or permittees, or their designated representatives)” after “eligibility criteria”.

Subsec. (k)(11). Pub. L. 102–356, § 12(a), added par. (11).

Subsec. (l)(3)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 102–356, § 13(a), (b)(1), designated existing provisions as subcl. (I), substituted “biennial” for “biannual”, substituted “or” for “and” after semicolon, and added subcl. (II).

Subsec. (l)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 102–356, § 13(b)(2), substituted “biennially” for “biannually”.

Subsec. (l)(4). Pub. L. 102–356, § 14(a), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which consisted of subpars. (A) to (C) relating to National Public Radio’s system of financial controls and budget and requiringCongress not later than 15 days after Dec. 8, 1983, on actions taken by National Public Radio with respect to deficits it accumulated before Oct. 1, 1983.

Subsec. (m)(2). Pub. L. 102–356, § 12(b), inserted at end “Such report shall include a summary of the statistical reports received by the Corporation in the previous year’s annual report.”

1988—Subsec. (a)(6) to (8). Pub. L. 100–626, § 5, added par. (6) and redesignated former pars. (6) and (7) as (7) and (8), respectively.

Subsec. (g)(2)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 100–626, § 6, struck out “contract or” after “respect to any”.

Subsec. (k)(1)(C). Pub. L. 100–626, § 3, substituted “1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993” for “and 1990” and “40 percent” for “50 percent”, struck out “and” after “fiscal year 1989,”, and inserted “, $245,000,000 for fiscal year 1991, $265,000,000 for fiscal year 1992, and $285,000,000 for fiscal year 1993” after “fiscal year 1990”.

Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(i)(I), (II). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(a)(1), (2), amended subcls. (I) and (II) generally. Prior to amendment, subcls. (I) and (II) read as follows:

“(I) not more than 5 percent of such amounts shall be available for the administrative expenses of the Corporation;

“(II) not less than 5 percent of such amounts shall be available for other expenses incurred by the interconnection facilities and operations (as provided in clause (iv)(I)), except that the total amount available for obligation for any fiscal year under this subclause and subclause (I) shall not exceed 10 percent of the amounts appropriated into the Fund available for allocation for such fiscal year;”.

Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(i)(III). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(a)(3), substituted “clause (ii)” for “clause (ii)(I)”.

Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(ii)(II). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(b), substituted “, and in accordance with any plan implemented under paragraph (6)(A), for national public” for “for public”.

Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(c), amended cl. (iii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (iii) read as follows: “Of the amounts allocated under clause (i)(IV) for any fiscal year—

“(I) not less than 50 percent of such amounts (as determined under paragraph (6)(A)) shall be available for distribution among the radio stations pursuant to paragraph (6)(B); and

“(II) not more than 50 percent of such amounts (as determined under paragraph (6)(A)) shall be available for distribution under subparagraph (B)(i) for public radio.”

Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(iv)(I). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(e), substituted “From the amount provided pursuant to clause (i)(II),” for “Subject to the provisions of clause (v),”.

Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(v). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(d), amended cl. (v) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (v) read as follows: “If the expenses incurred by the Corporation under clause (i)(II) for any fiscal year for—

“(I) capital costs relating to telecommunications satellites;

“(II) the payment of programming royalties and other fees; and

“(III) the costs of interconnection facilities and operations (as provided in clause (iv));

exceed 6 percent of the amounts appropriated into the Fund available for allocation for such fiscal year, then 75 percent of such excess costs shall be defrayed by the licensees and permittees under clause (iii)(I).”

Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(f), amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: “The telecommunications entities. Of the funds utilized pursuant to this clause, a substantial amount shall be reserved for distribution to independent producers and production entities for the production of programs.”

Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 100–626, § 8, added cl. (iii).

Subsec. (k)(3)(C). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(g), struck out subpar. (C) which related to limit on expenditure by Secretary of the Treasury.

Subsec. (k)(3)(D). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(g), struck out subpar. (D) which related to expenditure by Corporation of 105 percent of amount derived for preceding fiscal year, for activities authorized under subsection (g)(2) of this section, in fiscal years 1982 and 1983.

Subsec. (k)(6)(A). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(h), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “The Corporation, in consultation with such organizations, also shall conduct an annual review of the criteria and conditions applicable to such allocations.”

Subsec. (k)(6)(B). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(i), inserted after first sentence “The radio stations to maintain and improve their service where public radio is the only broadcast service available.”

Subsec. (k)(7). Pub. L. 100–626, § 7(j), inserted “(ii)(I) and (iii)(I)” after “paragraph (3)(A)”.

Subsec. (k)(10). Pub. L. 100–626, § 4(a), added par. (10).

Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 100–626, § 9(a), added subsec. (m).

1986—Subsec. (k)(1)(C). Pub. L. 99–272, § 5001(c)(1), substituted “1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990” for “and 1986”, struck out “and” after “fiscal year 1985,”, and inserted “, $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1987, $214,000,000 for fiscal year 1988, $238,000,000 for fiscal year 1989, and $254,000,000 for fiscal year 1990” before period at end.

Subsec. (k)(3)(A)(i)(II). Pub. L. 99–272, § 5001(c)(2), struck out “research, training, technical assistance, engineering, instructional support, payment of interest on indebtedness,” after “Corporation, including”.

Subsec. (k)(8) to (10). Pub. L. 99–272, § 5001(c)(3), redesignated paragraphs (9) and (10) as (8) and (9), respectively. Former subsec. (8), which related to refunding to the Corporation of an amount equal to the amount of unrelated business income tax, was struck out.

1983—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 98–214, § 6(a), struck out “, and the President of theSenate” and provision directing that the President of the Corporation serve as the Chairman of the Board.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 98–214, § 6(b)(1), inserted “elect one of their members to be Chairman and” after “Members of the Board shall annually”.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 98–214, § 6(c), substituted “No officer of the Corporation, other than a Vice Chairman”.

Subsec. (k)(1)(C). Pub. L. 98–214, § 3(a), substituted “, $145,000,000 for fiscal year 1984, $153,000,000 for fiscal year 1985, and $162,000,000 for fiscal year 1986” for “, and $130,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1984, 1985, and 1986”.

Subsec. (k)(10). Pub. L. 98–214, § 3(b), inserted provision requiring assurances that no officer or employee of such entity will be loaned money by that entity on an interest-free basis.

Subsec. (l)(4). Pub. L. 98–214, § 5, added par. (4).

1981—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1224, inserted provisions respecting alternative telecommunications services.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1225(a)(1), amended subsec. (c) generally, substituting provisions respecting appointment, selection, service, etc., of the ten members of the Board of Directors, for provisions respecting appointment, selection, service, etc., of the 15 members of the Board of Directors.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1225(b), amended subsec. (d) generally, substituting in par. (1) provisions respecting election, status, compensation, etc., of Vice Chairman, for provisions respecting election, status, compensation, etc., of Chairman and Vice Chairman.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1225(c), inserted reference to services rendered by a Vice Chairman, and struck out reference to the Chairman.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1234(a), struck out par. (5) relating to study and report concerning manner of including personal services of volunteers in determining non-Federal financial support, and redesignated par. (6) as (5).

Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1226, substituted “May” for “February”.

Subsec. (k)(1)(C). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1227(a), extended authorization of appropriations through 1986.

Subsec. (k)(2)(B). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1227(b), substituted fiscal year basis for disbursement for quarterly basis.

Subsec. (k)(3)(A). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1227(c)(1), amended subpar. (A) generally, substituting provisions mandating the establishment by the Corporation from the Fund under this section in each fiscal year in which the amount disbursed was $88,000,000 or more, but less than $121,000,000; (ii) not less than 45 percent of such funds in each fiscal year in which the amount disbursed was $121,000,000 or more, but less than $160,000,000; and (iii) not less than 50 percent of such funds in each fiscal year in which the amount disbursed was $160,000,000 or more.

Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1227(c)(2), amended cl. (i) generally, substituting “The Corporation under this subparagraph shall be used for funding the production of television and radio programs. Of such portion, a substantial amount shall be reserved for distribution to independent producers and production entities for the production of programs”.

Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1227(c)(3)(A), amended cl. (ii) generally, substituting “available for distribution under clause (i)” for “contained in the annual budget established by the Corporation under clause (i)”.

Subsec. (k)(3)(B)(iii), (iv). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1227(c)(3)(B), struck out cls. (iii) and (iv) which had provided, respectively, that “During each of the fiscal years 1981, 1982, and 1983, the annual budget established by thesection 393(d) of this title”.

Subsec. (k)(6)(A). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1227(d)(1), amended subpar. (A) generally, substituting “The radio stations”.

Subsec. (k)(6)(B). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1227(d)(2), amended subpar. (B) generally, striking out provision that the funds reserved for stations in the provisions preceding cl. (i) and inserting “under paragraph (3)(A)(ii)(I)” and “under paragraph (3)(A)(iii)(I)”.

Subsec. (k)(7). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1227(e), amended par. (7) generally, substituting provisions relating to use of funds distributed for provisions limiting amount of funds distributed.

Subsec. (k)(8). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1227(f), amended par. (8) generally, substituting provisions relating to refunding funds to the Corporation for provisions relating to the use of funds distributed.

Subsec. (k)(9). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1227(g), in subpar. (A) substituted “to assure that (i) its advisory board meets at regular intervals; (ii) the members of its advisory board regularly attend the State or a public agency.

Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 97–35, § 1228, inserted provisions in par. (1)(A) respecting shared auditing arrangements, and substituted in par. (3)(B)(ii) and (iii) provisions relating to biannual audits and accompanying report, for provisions relating to annual audits and accompanying report.

1978—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–567, § 301, substituted “public” for “noncommercial educational” and public telecommunications services.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 95–567, § 302, struck out provision authorizing the President to designate one of the members first appointed to the Board as Chairman.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 95–567, § 303(a), inserted provision which regulated the rate of compensation an officer or employee of the Corporation could receive.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 95–567, § 304, amended subsec. (g) generally, substituting “public noncommercial educational broadcast stations.

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 95–567, § 305, designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 95–567, § 306, revised and restructured subsection and, as so restructured, substituted “September 30” for “June 30”, “15th day of February” for “31st day of December”, and inserted provisions comprising pars. (1)(B) and (C).

Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 95–567, § 307(a), completely revised and restructured subsec. (k) and, in so doing, inserted provisions establishing an annual budget, authorizing funds for the fiscal years 1978 to 1983, requiring funds be disbursed on a quarterly basis, requiring that all meetings of entities receiving funds be open to the public, and that the financial records of such entities be available for public examination.

Subsec. (l)(3). Pub. L. 95–567, § 308, completely revised and restructured par. (3) and, in so doing, inserted provisions requiring an annual audit, furnishing a copy of the audit report, and use of uniform accounting principals.

1975—Subsec. (g)(2)(H). Pub. L. 94–192, § 3, inserted “and the use of nonbroadcast communications technologies for the dissemination of educational television or radio programs” after “broadcasting”.

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 94–192, § 4, directed that officers and directors be available to testify before Congressional committees concerning the annual fiscal report, audit report, or any other matter.

Subsec. (k)(3) to (7). Pub. L. 94–192, § 2, added pars. (3) to (7).

1973—Subsec. (k)(1). Pub. L. 93–84, § 1(a), substituted authorization of appropriation of $50,000,000 and $60,000,000 for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1974 and June 30, 1975, respectively, for authorization of appropriation of $40,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973.

Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 93–84, § 1(b), substituted “1975” for “1973”.

1972—Subsec. (k)(1). Pub. L. 92–411 struck out authorization of appropriation for fiscal years ending June 30, 1969, June 30, 1970, and the two succeeding fiscal years and provided for an appropriation of $40,000 for fiscal year ending June 30, 1973.

Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 92–411 substituted “June 30, 1973” for “June 30, 1972”.

1970—Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 91–437 authorized appropriations of $20,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1970, and $30,000,000 for each of the two succeeding fiscal years, and further authorized appropriation of amounts equal to the amount of total grants, donations, bequests, or other contributions from non-Federal sources received by the Corporation during each fiscal year with a maximum limit of $5,000,000 for any fiscal year.

1969—Subsec. (k)(1). Pub. L. 91–97, § 3(a), inserted “and for the next fiscal year the sum of $20,000,000” after “the sum of $9,000,000”.

Subsec. (k)(2). Pub. L. 91–97, § 3(b), inserted “or the next fiscal year” after “the fiscal year ending June 30, 1969,”.

1968—Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 90–294 substituted “1969” for “1968”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment

Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(9) [title V, § 5002(b)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–593, provided that:

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to funds distributed on or after 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 29, 1999].”
Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Pub. L. 102–356, § 22, Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 957, provided that:

“Section 5(a) [amending this section] shall take effect on January 31, 1996. All other provisions of this Act [amending this section and sections 303b, 391, and 393 of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 303 and 609 of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 303 of this title] are effective on its date of enactment [Aug. 26, 1992].”
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by sections 6 and 7(d) of Pub. L. 100–626 effective Oct. 1, 1989, see section 12 of Pub. L. 100–626, set out as a note under section 391 of this title.

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

Pub. L. 97–35, title XII, § 1227(c)(4), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 729, provided that:

“The amendments made in this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1983.”

Pub. L. 97–35, title XII, § 1227(d)(3), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 729, provided that:

“The amendments made in this subsection [amending this section] shall apply to fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1983.”
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–567 effective Nov. 2, 1978, see section 403 of Pub. L. 95–567, set out as a note under section 390 of this title.

Termination of Reporting Requirements

For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions of law requiring submittal to Congress of any annual, semiannual, or other regular periodic report listed in House Document No. 103–7 (in which reports required under subsecs. (i), (k)(3)(B)(iii)(V)(1st sentence), and (m) of this section are listed as the 10th through 13th items on page 199), see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance.

Transition Rules Relating to Term of Office of Board of Directors of Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Pub. L. 102–356, § 5(c), Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 950, provided that:

“(1)
With respect to the three offices whose terms are prescribed by law to expire on March 26, 1992, the term for each such office immediately after that date shall expire on January 31, 1998.
“(2)
With respect to the two offices whose terms are prescribed by law to expire on March 1, 1994, the term for each of such offices immediately after that date shall expire on January 31, 2000.
“(3) With respect to the five offices whose terms are prescribed by law to expire on March 26, 1996
“(A)
one such office, as selected by the President, shall be abolished on January 31, 1996;
“(B)
the term immediately after March 26, 1996, for another such office, as designated by the President, shall expire on January 31, 2000; and
“(C)
the term for each of the remaining three such offices immediately after March 26, 1996, shall expire on January 31, 2002.
“(4)
As used in this subsection, the term ‘office’ means an office as a member of the Board of Directors of the Broadcasting.
Objectivity and Balance Policy, Procedures, and Report

Pub. L. 102–356, § 19, Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 955, provided that:

“Pursuant to the existing responsibility of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 396(g)(1)(A)) to facilitate the full development of public Corporation shall—
“(1)
review the Corporation’s existing efforts to meet its responsibility under section 396(g)(1)(A);
“(2) after soliciting the views of the public, establish a comprehensive policy and set of procedures to—
“(A)
provide reasonable opportunity for members of the public to present comments to the Board regarding the quality, diversity, creativity, excellence, innovation, objectivity, and balance of public broadcasting programming of a controversial nature, as well as any needs not met by those services;
“(B)
review, on a regular basis, national public broadcasting programming for quality, diversity, creativity, excellence, innovation, objectivity, and balance, as well as for any needs not met by such programming;
“(C)
on the basis of information received through such comment and review, take such steps in awarding programming grants pursuant to clauses (ii)(II), (iii)(II), and (iii)(III) of section 396(k)(3)(A) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 396(k)(3)(A)) that it finds necessary to meet the Corporation’s responsibility under section 396(g)(1)(A), including facilitating objectivity and balance in programming of a controversial nature; and
“(D)
disseminate among public Corporation’s experience in addressing such concerns within their own operations; and
“(3)
starting in 1993, by January 31 of each year, prepare and submit to the President for transmittal to the Congress a report summarizing its efforts pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2).”
Consumer Information; Disclosure of Funding

Pub. L. 102–356, § 20, Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 956, provided that:

“Prior to the expiration of the 90-day period following the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 26, 1992], the Broadcasting is partially funded from Federal tax revenues.”
Independent Production Service Funding

Pub. L. 102–356, § 21, Aug. 26, 1992, 106 Stat. 956, provided that:

“In making available funding pursuant to authorizations under this Act [see Short Title of 1992 Amendment note set out under section 609 of this title], any independent production service established under section 396(k) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 396(k)) shall, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with the provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 [47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.], provide such funding to eligible recipients and projects representing the widest possible geographic distribution, with the objective of providing funding to eligible recipients and projects in each State from which qualified proposals are received over the course of such authorizations.”
Satellite Replacement Needs; Report to Congress

Pub. L. 100–626, § 4(b), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3208, directedCongress on or before Mar. 1, 1990, a report by such licensees or permittees (or their representatives) detailing the satellite replacement needs of public radio and public television, the difference in cost between leasing satellite transponder capacity and buying such capacity, and the availability of private sector rather than Federal financing.

Continuation of Individuals Serving on the Board of Directors; Reduction in Membership of Board; Political Affiliation of Board Appointees; Abolition of Five Offices on March 1, 1984

Pub. L. 97–35, title XII, § 1225(a)(2), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 726, as amended by Pub. L. 97–410, § 4, Jan. 3, 1983, 96 Stat. 2044, provided that:

Compensation of Officers and Employees

Pub. L. 95–567, title III, § 303(b), Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2412, provided that:

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall not be construed to reduce the annual rate of pay of any officer or employee of the Nov. 2, 1978]; and (2) the annual rate of pay for such position, as in effect on such date of enactment, exceeds the maximum rate of pay established in section 396(e)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 [subsec. (e)(1) of this section], as amended by subsection (a).”

Pub. L. 95–567, title III, § 307(b), Nov. 2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2419, provided that:

“Section 396(k)(10) of the Communications Act of 1934 [subsec. (k)(10) of this section], as added by subsection (a), shall not be construed to reduce the annual rate of pay of any officer or employee of the PublicNov. 2, 1978]; and (2) the annual rate of pay for such position, as in effect on such date of enactment, exceeds the maximum rate of pay established in section 396(k)(10) of the Communications Act of 1934 [subsec. (k)(10) of this section], as added by subsection (a).”
CFR Title Parts
47 80 , 97