For Immediate Release

PIRATE Act H.R. 5709 Passes House – NY State Broadcasters Association Applauds Vote

Albany NY:  Regarding today’s vote by the House of Representatives passing H.R. 5709, the Preventing Illegal Use of Radio Through Enforcement Act “PIRATE Act,” David Donovan, President of the New York State Broadcasters Association, Inc. stated:

“This is an important day for American consumers who rely on legally licensed stations for life saving news and information.  Every day listeners in New York City are subject to the harms of illegal stations.  These illegal stations interfere with EAS alerts, disrupt vital airport communications, spew RFR radiation into communities in excess of government standards, broadcast content that violates FCC regulations, and ignore all consumer protection laws.  Passing the bill constitutes a milestone in the effort to eliminate pirate stations.

We want to thank the Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan (R. WI) and the leadership of the House of Representatives for quickly approving this important bi-partisan bill.  This bill could not have gone forward without the bipartisan efforts of Congressman Paul Tonko (D. NY 20th) who introduced this legislation as well as Congressman Chris Collins (R. NY 27th) who has been a leader on this issue for several years.  We also want to thank Congressman Leonard Lance (R. NJ 7th), who co-sponsored the bill as well as Chairman Greg Walden (R. OR 2nd) and the leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for moving this bill through committee.

We urge members of the Senate to take quick action on this bi-partisan bill. The FCC’s ability to police the airwaves has been severely compromised in a number of markets including New York City, Miami, Northern New Jersey, Massachusetts, Colorado and Connecticut.  The problem is spreading. The FCC must regain control over the radio spectrum. Time is of the essence.”

For additional information contact David Donovan at ddonovan@nysbroadcasters.org

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