On Tuesday, December 15, the House passed H.R. 1084, the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act, introduced by Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-14).

The legislation directs the FCC to regulate the loudness/volume of television commercials relative to the surrounding program. Pursuant to the legislation, the FCC would be required to incorporate by reference the "recommended practice" standard supported by ATSC. The modified legislative language, crafted by the Association For Maximum Service Television (MSTV), significantly improves the original scope of the bill which directed the FCC to undertake a rulemaking without regard to the ATSC standard. Additionally, there is a one-year waiver for stations to purchase the necessary equipment in the event of “financial hardship.”

Sen. Whitehouse (RI) introduced the companion legislation, S. 2847, with one cosponsor. NAB will continue to work Senate sponsors and committee staff to ensure that the bill protects local television broadcasters.