Public Broadcasting Amendments Act of 1984
Key claim: A 1984 bill that reached the President would have authorized multi-year federal grants to plan and build public TV and radio facilities and matching funds for public broadcasting, while dropping some spending earmarks and a tax-related refund rule, but a pocket veto kept it from becoming law.
Abstract
(S607 · 98th Congress) (Measure passed Senate, amended) Public Broadcasting Amendments Act of 1984 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize appropriations for FY 1985 through 1987 to be used by the Secretary of Commerce to assist in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities. Repeals a provision that requires 75 percent of the funds appropriated for such purposes in a fiscal year to be available to extend delivery of public telecommunications services to areas not receiving such services. Authorizes appropriations, to match up to a specified amount of non-Federal contributions to public broadcasting entities, for the Public Broadcasting Fund for FY 1987 through 1989. Repeals a provision that requires that a specified portion of the amount made available to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting from the Fund be earmarked for expenses of research, training, technical assistance, engineering, instructional support, and the payment of interest on obligations. Repeals provisions requiring a public telecommunications entity to refund to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting an amount of Federal funds equal to the amount of any unrelated business income tax paid by such entity. Latest action (1984-10-22): Pocket Vetoed by President.
Why this matters
A 1984 bill that reached the President would have authorized multi-year federal grants to plan and build public TV and radio facilities and matching funds for public broadcasting, while dropping some spending earmarks and a tax-related refund rule, but a pocket veto kept it from becoming law.