Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 110 Part 1.djvu/156

 110 STAT. 132 PUBLIC LAW 104-104—FEB. 8, 1996 (2) in paragraph (4), by striking "of which any officer or more than one-fourth of the directors are aHens, or". (1) LIMITATION ON SILENT STATION AUTHORIZATIONS.— Section 312 (47 U.S.C. 312) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(g) If a broadcasting station fails to transmit broadcast signals for any consecutive 12-month period, then the station license granted for the operation of that broadcast station expires at the end of that period, notwithstanding any provision, term, or condition of the license to the contrary.". (m) MODIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION PERMIT REQUIREMENT.— 47 USC 319. Section 319(d) is amended by striking the last two sentences and inserting the following: "With respect to any broadcasting station, the Commission shall not have any authority to waive the requirement of a permit for construction, except that the Commission may by regulation determine that a permit shall not be required for minor changes in the facilities of authorized broadcast stations. With respect to any other station or class of stations, the Commission shall not waive the requirement for a construction permit unless the Commission determines that the public interest, convenience, and necessity would be served by such a waiver.". (n) CONDUCT OF INSPECTIONS.— Section 362(b) (47 U.S.C. 47 USC 360. 362(b)) is amended to read as follows: "(b) Every ship of the United States that is subject to this part shall have the equipment and apparatus prescribed therein inspected at least once each year by the Commission or an entity designated by the Commission. If, after such inspection, the Commission is satisfied that all relevant provisions of this Act and the station license have been complied with, the fact shall be so certified on the station license by the Commission. The Commission shall make such additional inspections at frequent intervals as the Commission determines may be necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of this Act. The Commission may, upon a finding that the public interest could be served thereby— "(1) waive the annual inspection required under this section for a period of up to 90 days for the sole purpose of enabling a vessel to complete its voyage and proceed to a port in the United States where an inspection can be held; or "(2) waive the annual inspection required under this section for a vessel that is in compliance with the radio provisions of the Safety Convention and that is operating solely in waters beyond the jurisdiction of the United States: Provided, That such inspection shall be performed within 30 days of such vessel's return to the United States.". (o) INSPECTION BY OTHER ENTITIES.—Section 385 (47 U.S.C. 385) is amended— (1) by inserting "or an entity designated by the Commission" after "The Commission"; and (2) by adding at the end thereof the following: "In accordance with such other provisions of law as apply to Government contracts, the Commission may enter into contracts with any person for the purpose of carrying out such inspections and certifying compliance with those requirements, and may, as part of any such contract, allow any such person to accept reimbursement from the license holder for travel and expense costs of any employee conducting an inspection or certification.".

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