During last week's Senate Commerce Committee mark-up, members of the committee voted on key television broadcasting legislation.

The following bills all passed by unanimous consent: Sen. Byron Dorgan's (D-ND) resolution, S. J. Res. 28, disapproving the FCC's new media ownership rules; Sen. Olympia Snowe's (R-ME) bill, S. 2607, to allow for the early distribution of funds to assist LPTV and translator stations to convert to digital; Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's (R-TX) bill, S. 2507, which would permit certain television stations along the U.S.-Mexico border to delay their conversion to digital.

Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) expressed support for S. 2607 and the need for changing the current law to provide earlier assistance to LPTV stations. With regard to his resolution on new media ownership rules, Sen. Dorgan reiterated his previously expressed concerns that the FCC unduly advanced its decision with the December 18 media ownership rules, and that the rules will allow for greater media consolidation.

The Snowe and Hutchison bills must now be addressed by the full Senate. Under Senate procedural rules, the Dorgan resolution has until the end of May for consideration by the full Senate. Additionally, the Commerce Secretary is prepared to recommend a veto on the Dorgan resolution.

In addition to Dorgan, Snowe and Stevens, the following senators were present at the mark-up: Chairman Inouye (D-HI), Sens. Kerry (D-MA), Dorgan (D-ND), Boxer (D-CA), Nelson (D-FL), Cantwell (D-WA), Lautenberg (D-NJ), McCaskill (D-MO), Klobuchar (D-MN), Vitter (R-LA), Thune (R-SD) and Wicker (R-MS).