SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5285

BYSenators McDermott, Deccio, Moore, von Reichbauer, Kreidler, Zimmerman, Stratton, Warnke, Saling, Vognild, Rinehart, Hansen, Gaspard, Wojahn, Fleming, Garrett, Talmadge and Kiskaddon

Providing funding for public broadcasting stations.

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 22, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5285 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDermott, Chairman; Gaspard, Vice Chairman; Kreidler, Moore, Rinehart, Saling, Talmadge, Vognild, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Stephen Rose (786-7443)

                  January 22, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, JANUARY 22, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Public non-profit radio and television companies complement private broadcasting companies in providing added program diversity for the utilization of Washington citizens.

Public broadcasting companies face increasing costs and potentially decreasing federal support.

SUMMARY:

$1,380,000 is provided to the Department of Community Development for grants to public broadcasting companies that are licensed in Washington and qualify to receive grants from the Federal Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  Seventy-five percent of this money is allocated to public television corporations and 25 percent to public radio stations.  Further allocation procedures as specified.

Another $120,000 is provided for grants to broadcast stations with a non-commercial educational license, but not eligible for grants from the Federal Corporation for Public Broadcasting.  These stations must have facilities and equipment for program origination and production.  They also must have daily broadcast schedules, with some programs locally produced, devoted primarily to serving the educational, informational, and cultural needs of the community within its primary service area.  The programming shall be intended for a general audience and not designated to further a particular religious philosophy or political organization.  Monies appropriated to these stations shall be divided equally among the eligible applicants, but no applicant may receive more than 10 percent of the total appropriation under this section.

Appropriation:    $1,500,000 is appropriated from the general fund.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The money appropriated for grants for public broadcasting stations is deleted.

Senate Committee - Testified: Mike Ryherd; Paul Hartman, Yakima Public TV