110th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. R. 1765

To provide for the establishment of two nationally distributed video programming channels providing language instruction.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 29, 2007

Mr. BAIRD introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To provide for the establishment of two nationally distributed video programming channels providing language instruction.

    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 `Access to Language Education Act'.

SEC. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION DISTRIBUTION PLAN.

    (a) Implementation Plan Required- Within one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and after consultation with the Secretary of Education, the Federal Communications Commission, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense, shall prepare and submit to each House of the Congress a plan for national distribution of video programming channels providing language instruction in accordance with the requirements of this section.

    (b) Plan Requirements- The plan required by this section shall--

      (1) provide for the distribution of two channels of video programming providing language instruction;

      (2) provide that--

        (A) one of such channels--

          (i) shall be composed of programming providing instruction in English for non-English speaking individuals; and

          (ii) shall be distributed in each television market via broadcasting or cable and satellite, and distributed nationally via Internet delivery; and

        (B) the other such channel--

          (i) shall be composed of programming providing instruction in languages that are not widely taught in educational institutions in the United States and that are likely to have significant value for the United States in global competitiveness, trade, international relations, national security, and defense; and

          (ii) shall be distributed nationally via Internet delivery; and

      (3) identify--

        (A) the participants to be engaged in--

          (i) producing and evaluating the instructional programming; and

          (ii) broadcasting or otherwise distributing the programming in each market; and

        (B) the methods by which such participants will be engaged and compensated for their participation;

      (4) evaluate the costs, and methods for funding the costs, of providing and distributing such instructional programming; and

      (5) recommend any legislative or regulatory changes required to implement the plan.

    (c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to develop, submit, and implement the plan required by this section, such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.

END