[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2639 Engrossed in House (EH)]

103d CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 2639

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT

 To authorize appropriations for the promotion and development of the 
       United States national telecommunications and information 
 infrastructure, the construction and planning of public broadcasting 
                  facilities, and for other purposes.





103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2639

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 AN ACT


 
 To authorize appropriations for the promotion and development of the 
       United States national telecommunications and information 
 infrastructure, the construction and planning of public broadcasting 
                  facilities, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Telecommunications Infrastructure 
and Facilities Assistance Act of 1993''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

     The Congress finds and declares the following:
            (1) A strong commitment to building the national 
        telecommunications and information infrastructure will promote 
        economic growth, aid America's competitiveness, and increase 
        the Nation's standard of living.
            (2) An advanced telecommunications and information 
        infrastructure initiative serves the national interest.
            (3) Private sector investments in the United States 
        telecommunications and information infrastructure can benefit 
        from a Federal investment in demonstration projects in which 
        advanced telecommunications capabilities are used to aid the 
        delivery of critical social services such as education and 
        health care traditionally supported by government.
            (4) Government funding of demonstrations and pilot projects 
        of telecommunications and information infrastructure 
        applications for health care providers, educational 
        institutions, research facilities, State and local governments, 
        libraries, and other social service and public information 
        providers can serve as a catalyst in promoting increased 
        private sector investment in, and continued development of, the 
        national telecommunications and information infrastructure.
            (5) Federal assistance in the promotion of the national 
        telecommunications and information infrastructure will use a 
        wide range of technologies including, but not limited to, 
        broadcast, fiber optic cable, coaxial cable, satellite systems, 
        and microwave systems.
            (6) Providing assistance to help eligible entities connect 
        to and fully utilize existing and developing telecommunications 
        networks and information services is in the public interest.
            (7) There are tremendous information resources in the 
        Nation, but the benefits of an advanced telecommunications and 
        information infrastructure will be enhanced when United States 
        citizens have reasonable access to such existing and future 
        information resources.
            (8) Federal support of public broadcasting has helped 
        provide valuable and useful educational and cultural programs 
        that reach nearly all citizens of the United States.
            (9) The Federal Government shall ensure that all citizens 
        of the United States have access to public telecommunications 
        services through all appropriate available telecommunications 
        distribution technologies.
            (10) Public telecommunications entities and services 
        constitute valuable local community resources for utilizing 
        electronic media to address national concerns and solve local 
        problems through community programs.
            (11) The Federal Government should encourage partnerships 
        to adapt technologies to public service uses in a cost-
        effective manner, utilizing and maintaining existing facilities 
        where appropriate and effective, and to avoid duplicate 
        services or capacities which are currently provided by public 
        telecommunications entities.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE 
              DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) Amendments to the NTIAO Act.--The National Telecommunications 
and Information Administration Organization Act is amended--
            (1) by redesignating part C as part F; and
            (2) by inserting after part B the following new parts:

 ``PART C--PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC BROADCASTING FACILITIES

``SEC. 121. PURPOSE.

    ``The purpose of this part is to assist, through matching grants, 
in the planning and construction of public broadcasting facilities in 
order to achieve the following objectives:
            ``(1) extend delivery of public broadcasting services to as 
        many citizens of the United States as possible by the most 
        efficient and economical means, including broadcast, fiber 
        optic cable, coaxial cable, satellite systems, and microwave 
        systems;
            ``(2) increase public broadcasting services and facilities 
        available to, operated by, and owned by minorities and women; 
        and
            ``(3) strengthen the capability of existing public 
        broadcasting entities to provide public broadcasting services 
        to the public.

``SEC. 122. GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION.

    ``(a) Applications for Grants.--Any eligible applicant (as 
described in paragraph (1)) desiring to obtain a grant under this part 
for the construction of public broadcasting facilities shall submit to 
the Secretary an application containing such information with respect 
to the proposed construction project as the Secretary may require, 
including the total cost of such project and the amount of the grant 
requested for such project. Each applicant shall also provide 
assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that--
            ``(1) the applicant is--
                    ``(A) a public broadcast station;
                    ``(B) a system of public broadcasting entities;
                    ``(C) a nonprofit foundation, corporation, 
                institution, or association organized primarily for 
                educational or cultural purposes; or
                    ``(D) a State or local government (or any agency 
                thereof), or a political or special purpose subdivision 
                of a State;
            ``(2) the operation of such public broadcasting facilities 
        will be under the control of the applicant;
            ``(3) necessary funds to construct, operate, and maintain 
        such public broadcasting facilities will be available when 
        needed;
            ``(4) such public broadcasting facilities will be used 
        primarily for the provision of public broadcasting services, 
        and the use of such public broadcasting facilities for purposes 
        other than the provision of public broadcasting services will 
        not interfere with the provision of such public broadcasting 
        services as required in this part;
            ``(5) the applicant has participated in comprehensive 
        planning for such public broadcasting facilities in the area 
        which the applicant proposes to serve, and such planning has 
        included an evaluation of alternate technologies and 
        coordination with State educational television and radio 
        agencies, as appropriate; and
            ``(6) the applicant will use the grant efficiently and 
        effectively.
    ``(b) Amount of Grant.--Upon approving any application under this 
section with respect to any project for the construction of public 
broadcasting facilities, the Secretary shall make a grant to the 
applicant in an amount determined by the Secretary, except that such 
amount shall not exceed 75 percent of the amount determined by the 
Secretary to be the reasonable and necessary cost of such project. The 
Secretary may provide such funds as the Secretary deems necessary for 
the planning of any project for which construction funds may be 
obtained under this section.
    ``(c) Planning Grants.--
            ``(1) Information and assurances.--An applicant for a 
        planning grant shall provide such information with respect to 
        such project as the Secretary may require and shall provide 
        assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the applicant 
        meets the eligibility requirements of subsection (a) to receive 
        construction assistance.
            ``(2) Studies.--Any studies conducted by or for any grant 
        recipient under this subsection shall be provided to the 
        Secretary, if such studies are conducted through the use of 
        funds received under this section.
    ``(d) Regulations; Priorities.--The Secretary shall establish such 
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this part, including 
regulations relating to the order of priority in approving applications 
for construction or planning projects and relating to determining the 
amount of each grant.
    ``(e) Special Consideration.--In establishing criteria for grants 
pursuant to this section, and in establishing procedures relating to 
the order of priority established under subsection (d) in approving 
applications for grants, the Secretary shall give special consideration 
to applications which would increase participation by minorities, 
women, and populations traditionally underserved in the ownership and 
operation of public broadcasting entities. The Secretary shall take 
affirmative steps to inform minorities, women, and underserved 
populations of the availability of funds under this part, and the 
localities where new public broadcasting facilities are needed, and to 
provide such other assistance and information as may be appropriate.

``SEC. 123. CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL AND EXPENDITURES BY NTIA.

    ``(a) Construction and Planning Grants.--The Secretary, in 
consultation with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, public 
broadcasting entities, and, as appropriate, with others, shall 
establish criteria for making construction and planning grants. Such 
criteria shall be consistent with the objectives and provisions set 
forth in this part, and shall be made available to interested parties 
upon request.
    ``(b) Basis for Determination.--The Secretary shall base 
determinations of whether to approve applications for grants under this 
part, and the amount of such grants, on criteria developed pursuant to 
subsection (a) that are designed to achieve--
            ``(1) the establishment of new public broadcasting 
        facilities to extend service to areas currently not receiving 
        public broadcasting services;
            ``(2) the expansion of the service areas or production 
        capabilities of existing public broadcasting entities;
            ``(3) the development of public broadcasting facilities 
        owned by, operated by, and available to minorities and women; 
        and
            ``(4) the improvement of the capabilities of existing 
        public broadcasting entities to provide public broadcasting 
        services, including services to underserved audiences such as 
        deaf and hearing impaired individuals and blind and visually 
        impaired individuals.
    ``(c) Noncommercial Radio Broadcast Station Facilities.--Of the 
sums appropriated pursuant to section 125 for any fiscal year, a 
substantial amount shall be available for the expansion and development 
of noncommercial radio broadcast station facilities.

``SEC. 124. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    ``(a) Recovery of Funds.--If, within 5 years after completion of 
any project for construction of facilities, with respect to which a 
grant has been made under this section--
            ``(1) the applicant or other owner of such facilities 
        ceases to be an entity as described in section 122(a)(1); or
            ``(2) such facilities cease to be used primarily for the 
        provision of public broadcasting services (or the use of such 
        public broadcasting facilities for purposes other than the 
        provision of public broadcasting services interferes with the 
        provision of such public broadcasting services as required in 
        this part);
the United States shall be entitled to recover from the applicant or 
other owner of such facilities the amount bearing the same ratio to the 
value of such facilities at the time the applicant ceases to be such an 
entity or at the time of such determination (as determined by agreement 
of the parties or by action brought in the United States district court 
for the district in which such facilities are situated), as the amount 
of the Federal participation bore to the cost of construction of such 
facilities. The Secretary may increase the period for recovery under 
the preceding sentence from 5 to 10 years if the Secretary determines 
that the longer period is necessary in order to accomplish the purposes 
of this part.
    ``(b) Recordkeeping Requirements.--Each recipient of assistance 
under this part shall keep such records as may be reasonably necessary 
to enable the Secretary to carry out the functions of the Secretary 
under this part, including--
            ``(1) a complete and itemized inventory of all public 
        broadcasting facilities under the control of such recipient;
            ``(2) records which fully disclose the amount and the 
        disposition by such recipient of the proceeds of such 
        assistance, the total cost of the project in connection with 
        which such assistance is given or used, the amount and nature 
        of that portion of the cost of the project supplied by other 
        sources; and
            ``(3) such other records as will facilitate an effective 
        audit.
    ``(c) Accessibility of Records.--The Secretary and the Comptroller 
General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized 
representatives, shall have access for the purpose of audit and 
examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of any 
recipient of assistance under this part that relate to assistance 
received under this part.

``SEC. 125. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated $35,000,000 for each of 
the fiscal years 1995 and 1996, to be used by the Secretary to assist 
in the planning and construction of public broadcasting facilities as 
provided in this part. Sums appropriated under this part for any fiscal 
year are authorized to remain available until expended. Sums 
appropriated under this part may be used by the Secretary to cover the 
cost of administering the provisions of this part.

  ``PART D--TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

``SEC. 131. PURPOSE.

    ``It is the purpose of this part to facilitate the development of 
the national telecommunications and information infrastructure by 
authorizing the Secretary to establish and maintain, by the most 
efficient and economical means, a Telecommunications and Information 
Infrastructure Development Program that will promote the widespread 
availability of advanced telecommunications technologies to--
            ``(1) enhance the delivery to the public of diverse social 
        services, including education and health care; and
            ``(2) support, through the interconnection and improvement 
        of existing facilities and the deployment of new facilities, 
        the formation of a nationwide, multimedia, high-speed, 
        interactive infrastructure of varied information technologies.

``SEC. 132. GRANT AUTHORITY.

    ``(a) Grant Purposes and Criteria.--In accordance with the 
requirements of this part, the Secretary is authorized to award grants 
to eligible applicants (as described in subsection (b)(1)) to assist 
the development of a national telecommunications and information 
infrastructure. The Secretary shall not award a grant under this part 
unless the Secretary determines that the project will promote one or 
more of the following objectives:
            ``(1) expand or otherwise augment telecommunications 
        networks or information technology systems for health care 
        providers, educational institutions, research facilities, 
        libraries, museums, State and local governments, and other 
        social service and public information providers;
            ``(2) enhance the ability, through interconnection, of 
        health care providers, educational institutions, research 
        facilities, libraries, museums, State and local governments, 
        and other social service and public information providers to 
        have access to existing and new sources of information;
            ``(3) the development and utilization of standards for 
        interoperability and interconnection of the various facilities, 
        systems, and networks which would comprise a demonstration or 
        pilot project;
            ``(4) universal availability and utilization of an advanced 
        telecommunications and information infrastructure, especially 
        for traditionally underserved populations; and
            ``(5) demonstrate and improve the efficiency and 
        effectiveness of the delivery of social services, such as 
        education and health care, to the American people.
    ``(b) Applications for Grants.--Any eligible applicant desiring to 
obtain a grant under this part shall submit to the Secretary an 
application containing such information with respect to such project as 
the Secretary may require. Each applicant shall also provide assurances 
satisfactory to the Secretary that--
            ``(1) the applicant is--
                    ``(A) a nonprofit foundation, corporation, 
                institution, or association;
                    ``(B) a State or local government (or any agency 
                thereof), or a political or special purpose subdivision 
                of a State or local government; or
                    ``(C) any enterprise owned and operated by a State 
                or local government entity;
            ``(2) the applicant has the technical, administrative, and 
        financial capability to obtain, operate, and maintain the 
        facilities, systems, or networks that are the subject of the 
        application;
            ``(3) the applicant has chosen an efficient and economical 
        means to achieve its communications or information needs, and 
        has not failed to utilize commercially available network 
        services to meet such needs to the extent such commercial 
        services meet the needs of the applicant in the most efficient 
        and economical manner;
            ``(4) the applicant has participated in comprehensive 
        planning for such facilities, systems, or networks and such 
        planning has included an evaluation of alternative technologies 
        and coordination with appropriate State agencies, as needed;
            ``(5) the amount of the grant will not exceed 50 percent of 
        the amount determined by the Secretary to be the reasonable and 
        necessary cost of such project, unless the Secretary determines 
        that extraordinary circumstances warrant permitting a grant in 
        an amount that will not exceed 75 percent of such cost; and
            ``(6) the applicant will use any facility, system, or 
        network obtained with funds provided under this section 
        primarily to achieve the objectives identified in the 
        application and will comply with regulations prescribed by the 
        Secretary with respect to resale of any capacity of such 
        facility, system, or network.
    ``(c) Regulations; Priorities.--The Secretary shall establish such 
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this part, including 
regulations relating to the order of priority to be used in approving 
applications and relating to determining the amount of each grant for 
such projects. As part of such regulations, the Secretary shall provide 
a preference in the award of assistance for projects that increase 
utilization and efficiency of existing telecommunications and 
information facilities. The Secretary shall seek the views of the 
Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and 
the Director of the National Science Foundation in developing the 
regulations authorized under this part. Such regulations shall include 
such regulations for purposes of subsection (b)(6) as the Secretary 
determines to be necessary to prevent an applicant from using 
commercial resale of excess capacity to compete unfairly with providers 
of telecommunications services.
    ``(d) Special Consideration.--In establishing criteria for grants 
pursuant to this part, and in establishing procedures relating to the 
order of priority established under subsection (c) in approving 
applications for grants, the Secretary shall give special consideration 
to applications that (1) will increase participation by minorities, 
individuals with disabilities, women, and other underserved populations 
in the ownership of, operation of, and access to, telecommunications 
and information infrastructure; and (2) will avoid unnecessary 
duplication of existing facilities and services. The Secretary shall 
take affirmative steps to inform minorities, individuals with 
disabilities, women, and other underserved populations of the 
availability of funds under this part, and to provide such other 
assistance and information as may be appropriate.

``SEC. 133. TRAINING AND PLANNING.

    ``(a) Training Expenses.--The Secretary is authorized to provide 
funds for necessary and reasonable expenses for training in the 
operation of the facilities, systems, or networks developed pursuant to 
this part, except that such expenditures shall be authorized only for a 
period not to exceed one year after termination of the grant for the 
telecommunications or information facility, system, or network funded 
under this part.
    ``(b) Planning and Studies.--The Secretary is authorized to provide 
up to 100 percent of the cost of planning projects or studies that will 
promote the development or enhancement of the national 
telecommunications and information infrastructure. Any plans or studies 
conducted by or for any grant recipient under this section shall be 
provided to the Secretary. An applicant for a planning grant shall 
provide such information with respect to such project as the Secretary 
may require and shall provide assurances satisfactory to the Secretary 
that the applicant meets the requirements of section 132(b)(1).

``SEC. 134. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    ``(a) Recovery of Funds.--If, within five years after completion of 
any project with respect to which a grant has been made under this 
part--
            ``(1) the applicant or other owner of the facility, system, 
        or network ceases to be an agency, institution, foundation, 
        corporation, association, or other entity described in section 
        132(b)(1); or
            ``(2) such facility, system, or network ceases to be used 
        primarily for the intended purposes of the grant project;
the United States shall be entitled to recover from the applicant or 
other owner of such facility, system, or network an amount bearing the 
same ratio to the value of such facility, system, or network at the 
time the applicant ceases to be such an entity or at the time of such 
determination (as determined by agreement of the parties or by action 
brought in the United States district court for the district in which 
such facility, system, or network is situated), as the amount of the 
Federal grants bore to the cost of construction of such facility, 
system, or network.
    ``(b) Recordkeeping Requirements.--Each recipient of assistance 
under this part shall keep such records as may be reasonably necessary 
to enable the Secretary to carry out the functions of the Secretary 
under this part, including--
            ``(1) a complete and itemized inventory of all 
        telecommunications and information facilities, systems, or 
        networks under the control of such recipient procured with 
        funds authorized under this part;
            ``(2) records which fully disclose the amount and the 
        disposition by such recipient of the proceeds of such 
        assistance, the total cost of the project in connection with 
        which such assistance is given or used, the amount and nature 
        of that portion of the cost of the project supplied by other 
        sources; and
            ``(3) such other records as will facilitate an effective 
        audit.
    ``(c) Accessibility of Records.--The Secretary and the Comptroller 
General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized 
representatives, shall have access for the purpose of audit and 
examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of any 
recipient of assistance under this part that relate to assistance 
received under this part.
    ``(d) Duty To Monitor.--The Secretary shall monitor and evaluate 
projects in order to determine that such projects fulfill the 
objectives of this part. The Secretary shall evaluate the activities of 
the assistance program under this part to assure that it is fulfilling 
its goals and objectives. The Secretary shall develop criteria for 
evaluations pursuant to section 132(c). Not later than January 1, 1998, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a summary of the results of 
the monitoring and evaluation conducted under this subsection.
    ``(e) Clearinghouses.--
            ``(1) Clearinghouse on distance learning.--In carrying out 
        the requirements of subsection (d), and in collecting studies 
        pursuant to section 133(b), the Secretary shall provide for the 
        collection and dissemination of information concerning distance 
        learning. The Secretary shall maintain information on distance 
        learning providers; receive, review, and analyze reports of 
        different distance learning activities; and publish 
        periodically a compilation of the reports submitted and such 
        analysis.
            ``(2) Clearinghouse on telemedicine.--In carrying out the 
        requirements of subsection (d), and in collecting studies 
        pursuant to section 133(b), the Secretary shall provide for the 
        collection and dissemination of information concerning 
        telemedicine projects. The Secretary shall maintain information 
        on telemedicine projects, receive, review, and analyze reports 
        of different telemedicine activities, and publish periodically 
        a compilation of the reports submitted and such analysis.

``SEC. 135. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part 
$100,000,000 for fiscal year 1995 and $150,000,000 for fiscal year 
1996. Sums appropriated under this section for any fiscal year are 
authorized to remain available until expended. Sums appropriated under 
this section may be used by the Secretary to cover the direct and 
indirect costs of administering the provisions of this part, for 
evaluating the effectiveness of the program and projects funded 
pursuant to this part, and for other related activities. Up to 5 
percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to this section may be used 
by the Secretary for research to support the grant making activities 
under this part.''.
    (b) Transfer and Reauthorization of National Endowment for 
Children's Television.--The Communications Act of 1934 (hereinafter in 
this subsection referred to as ``the 1934 Act'') and the National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act 
(hereinafter in this subsection referred to as ``the NTIAO Act'') are 
amended as follows:
            (1) The NTIAO Act is amended by inserting after part D (as 
        added by subsection (a) of this section) a new part E, the 
        heading of which shall be as follows:

       ``PART E--NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR CHILDREN'S TELEVISION''.

            (2) Section 394 of the 1934 Act is transferred to such new 
        part E of the NTIAO Act and is redesignated as section 141 of 
        the NTIAO Act.
            (3) Such section 141 is amended so that the section 
        designation and section heading of such section shall be in the 
        form and typeface of the section designation and section 
        heading of this section.
            (4) Subsection (h) of such section 141 is amended to read 
        as follows:
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $6,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1995 and 1996, to 
be used by the Secretary to carry out the provisions of this section. 
Sums appropriated under this subsection for any fiscal year shall 
remain available for contracts and grants for projects for which 
applications approved under this section have been submitted within one 
year after the last day of such fiscal year.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) NTIAO act definitions.--Section 102(a) of the National 
        Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization 
        Act is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        paragraphs:
            ``(6) The term `construction' means acquisition (including 
        acquisition by lease), installation and modernization of public 
        broadcasting facilities, and planning and preparatory steps 
        incidental to any such acquisition, installation, or 
        modernization.
            ``(7) The term `interconnection' means the use of an 
        association of transmission channels or telecommunication 
        circuits, switching units, or other equipment to provide the 
        means of a transfer of signals between two or more points in a 
        telecommunications network or networks or the use of an 
        interconnection system.
            ``(8) The term `interconnection system' means any system of 
        facilities used for the distribution of programs to public 
        telecommunications entities (as such term is defined in section 
        397 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 397).
            ``(9) The term `public broadcasting facilities' means 
        telecommunications and related equipment necessary for the 
        provision of public broadcasting services, except that such 
        term does not include the buildings to house such apparatus 
        (other than small equipment shelters that are part of satellite 
        Earth stations, translators, microwave interconnection 
        facilities, and similar facilities).
            ``(10) The term `public broadcasting services' means the 
        production, acquisition, distribution, or dissemination of 
        noncommercial, educational, or cultural programs and related 
        noncommercial and instructional and informational material 
        disseminated by entities licensed by the Federal Communications 
        Commission as noncommercial educational broadcast stations.
            ``(11) The term `nonprofit' (as applied to any foundation, 
        corporation, or association) means a foundation, corporation, 
        or association, no part of the net earnings of which inures, or 
        may lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder 
        or individual.
            ``(12) The term `public broadcasting entity' means the 
        Corporation, any licensee or permittee of a public broadcast 
        station, or any nonprofit institution engaged primarily in the 
        production, acquisition, distribution, or dissemination of 
        educational and cultural television or radio programs.
            ``(13) The term `State' includes the District of Columbia, 
        the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, 
        American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Trust 
        Territory of the Pacific Islands.''.
            (2) Delegation.--Section 103(b)(3)(B) of The National 
        Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization 
        Act is amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) shall assign to the Assistant Secretary and 
                the NTIA the administration of parts C through E of 
                this title.''.
            (3) Communications act amendments.--Part IV of title III of 
        the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 390 et seq.) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking subparts A, B, and C (47 U.S.C. 
                390-395);
                    (B) by redesignating subparts D and E as subparts A 
                and B; and
                    (C) in section 397--
                            (i) by amending paragraph (1) to read as 
                        follows:
    ``(1) The term `construction' means acquisition (including 
acquisition by lease), installation and modernization of public 
broadcasting facilities, and planning and preparatory steps incidental 
to any such acquisition, installation, or modernization.'';
                            (ii) in paragraph (2), by striking 
                        ``subpart D'' and inserting ``subpart A'';
                            (iii) by striking paragraph (10);
                            (iv) by amending paragraph (15) to read as 
                        follows:
    ``(15) The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services.''; and
                            (v) by redesignating paragraphs (11) 
                        through (17) as paragraphs (10) through (16), 
                        respectively.

SEC. 4. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE NTIA.

    (a) Amendment.--Section 151 of the National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration Organization Act is amended by striking 
``$17,600,000 for fiscal year 1992 and $17,900,000 for fiscal year 
1993'' and inserting ``$28,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1995 
and 1996''.
    (b) Technical Amendment.--Section 105(c)(2) of such Act is amended 
by adding at the end the following: ``The Secretary is authorized to 
retain and use all funds transferred, or previously transferred, from 
other Government agencies for all costs incurred in telecommunications 
research, engineering, and related activities by the Institute for 
Telecommunications Sciences of the NTLA in furtherance of its assigned 
functions under this section. Such funds received from other Government 
agencies shall remain available until expended.''.

SEC. 5. STUDY REQUIRED.

    Part F of the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration Organization Act (as redesignated by section 3(a)(1) of 
this Act) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 156. STUDY AND REPORT ON SATELLITE-BASED EDUCATIONAL NETWORK FOR 
              AFRICAN CHILDREN.

    ``(a) Study Required.--Within 6 months following enactment of this 
section, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
shall conduct a feasibility study to identify the opportunities, 
facilities, programming and other resources necessary to establish 
networks using modern telecommunications technologies for the purpose 
of providing educational and other training essential to ensure growth 
and opportunities in Africa. The study shall pay particular attention 
to the educational needs of children residing in rural and remote 
areas, and to the opportunities to address those needs. In conducting 
such study, the National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration shall identify resources and programs of governmental, 
nongovernmental, and multinational agencies that may be deployed 
promptly and economically. The study shall identify any legal, 
procedural, or technical impediments to the establishment of such a 
network or networks and the appropriate steps to remove such 
impediments.
    ``(b) Report Required.--The National Telecommunications and 
Information Administration shall submit to the President and the 
Congress a report on the results of the study required by subsection 
(a). The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
shall include in such report any legislative or administrative actions 
required to promote the establishment of such a network.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $285,000 to carry out this section.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 8, 1993.

            Attest:






                                                                 Clerk.

HR 2639 EH----2
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