Rich Fiscus
3 Feb 2009 2:12
Today the US House of Representatives' Rules Committee will be meeting to make sure the latest bill to delay the US DTV transition until June will only require a simple majority to pass. The previous bill was defeated last week due to a requirement for a 2/3 majority. However it did receive enough votes to pass by the simple majority expected to be required this time.
The new bill differs slightly from the original version. The difference is primarily in the addition of a reporting requirement which will keep legislators apprised of how many government vouchers and DTV converters are available to the public. While this is a refreshing change from the government's previous hope and pray approach, it seems like very little very late.
Like the previous incarnation of the bill, the Digital Television Transition Extension Act of 2009 would delay the date TV stations would be required to turn off analog signals until June 12,nearly a four month delay. It also includes a similar provision for replacing expired vouchers. However it does add language to expedite shipping via First Class mail rather than the Standard Mail service currently being used.