WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate today passed bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, to provide a voluntary short-term extension to analog broadcasts after the digital television transition date of February 17, 2009.  The bill, S. 3663, would provide an extension of analog broadcast signals to allow essential public safety announcements and provide information about the digital television transition for 30 days.  The bill was sponsored by Senator John D. Rockefeller (D – W.Va.).

“This bill will provide an important safety net to Americans during the digital television transition,” said Senator Hutchison.  “By allowing information to be broadcast for 30 days after the transition takes place, consumers who do not yet receive digital television signals will have access to important public safety announcements and information during a critical time period after the transition date.”

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