Bill · H.R. 3879· House(119-HR-3879)
Broadcast VOICES Act
- Introduced
- 6/10/2025
- Last activity
- 6/10/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Steven Horsford
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Broadcast VOICES Act," directs the FCC to take actions to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry. It establishes a tax certificate program for the sale of broadcast stations to increase ownership by socially disadvantaged individuals. The Act requires the FCC to submit biennial reports regarding the number and value of these stations. It also creates a tax provision where the sale of certain interests can be treated as an involuntary conversion to allow for the nonrecognition of gain or loss. Additionally, the bill introduces a tax credit for certain contributions intended to train socially disadvantaged individuals in broadcast management.
Yes· 3 of 10
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+7
Supports ownership opportunities for individuals subjected to racial prejudice.
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?+7
Supports ownership opportunities for individuals subjected to ethnic prejudice.
Would women be better off under this?+7
Explicitly includes women as a group qualifying for increased ownership opportunities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Ownership Diversity: The bill aims to increase the number and value of broadcast stations owned by socially disadvantaged individuals, including women and those subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice (Section 3).
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Tax Incentives for Station Sales: The law allows for the nonrecognition of gain or loss for taxpayers who elect to treat the sale of certain broadcast station interests as an involuntary conversion (Section 5(b)(1)).
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Support for Training: A new tax credit is established for qualified contributions made to entities that include the training of socially disadvantaged individuals in the management and operation of broadcast stations as a charitable purpose (Section 6(a)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Compliance Burdens: Buyers of broadcast station interests may be required to certify, every 180 days during a minimum holding period, that they are complying with specific management and ownership rules (Section 5(d)(5)(A)).
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Penalties for Non-compliance: If a taxpayer fails to make the required certifications, the Commission must report that failure to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (Section 5(d)(5)(B)(i)).
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Loss of Tax Benefits: If a taxpayer ceases to fulfill the requirements set by the FCC rules, they will no longer be entitled to the nonrecognition of gain or loss (Section 5(b)(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+7Good For Hispanic Americans+7Good For Women+7Good For Business Owners+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Gender Equality+7Improves Racial Equity+7
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Capital Gains Tax+5Improves Small Business Support+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+3
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/10/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Joyce BeattyDemocrat · Ohio
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri