DTV Transition Assistance Act


 * Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

{{SECTION|SEC. 1.|SECTION 1}}. SHORT TITLE.

 * This Act may be cited as the ``DTV Transition Assistance Act´´.

{{SECTION|SEC. 2.|SEC. 2}}. DTV TRANSITION.

 * (a) .—
 * Section 3008(a) of the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 is amended—


 * (1) by inserting ``(1) IN GENERAL.— ´´ before ``The Assistant Secretary´´; and


 * (2) by adding at the end thereof the following:


 * ``(2) USE OF FUNDS.—
 * ``As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of the DTV Transition Assistance Act, the Assistant Secretary shall make a determination, which the Assistant Secretary may adjust from time to time, with respect to whether the full amount provided under paragraph (1) will be needed for payments under that paragraph. If the Assistant Secretary determines that the full amount will not be needed for payments authorized by paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary may use the remaining amount for consumer education and technical assistance regarding the digital television transition and the availability of the digital-to-analog converter box program (in addition to any amounts expended for such purpose under 3005(c)(2)(A) of this title), including partnering with, providing grants to, and contracting with non-profit organizations or public interest groups in achieving these efforts. If the Assistant Secretary initiates such an education program, the Assistant Secretary shall develop a plan to address the educational and technical assistance needs of vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens, individuals residing in rural and remote areas, and minorities, including, where appropriate, education plans focusing on the need for analog pass-through digital converter boxes in areas served by low power or translator stations, and shall consider the speed with which these objectives can be accomplished to the greatest public benefit.´´.


 * (b) .—
 * Section 3009(a) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-171) is amended—


 * (1) by striking ``fiscal year 2009´´ and inserting ``fiscal years 2009 through 2012´´; and


 * (2) by striking ``no earlier than October 1, 2010´´ and inserting ``on or after February 18, 2009´´.

Approved July 30, 2008.

Legislative History

 * SENATE REPORTS:
 * No. 110-348 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and Transportation).
 * CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 154 (2008):
 * June 19, considered and passed Senate.
 * July 9, considered and passed House.
 * July 9, considered and passed House.