Washington, D.C. -  Today Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (CA-32), a Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee, introduced legislation to ensure residents along the U.S.-Mexico border continue to receive public safety announcements. This legislation allows broadcasters within 50 miles of the border to continue analog broadcasts for five years after the February 2009 DTV transition.

“Public safety information is one of the vital community services that local full-power television provides. Unfortunately, not all regions are prepared for the digital television transition, risking access to this information,” said Congresswoman Solis. “It is critical that U.S. residents along the border continue to receive Emergency System Alert warnings, AMBER alerts and other important local news about safety, weather and natural disasters. I am proud this bill achieves that in a way which protects public safety and the public interest.”

Television viewers along the U.S.-Mexico border will still be able to receive multiple channels over the air of Spanish-language analog television originating in Mexico after the U.S. DTV transition. However, without a DTV converter box, those viewers will no longer receive local Emergency Alert System (EAS) warnings, AMBER alerts, and other important local news about safety, weather and natural disasters that are provided by U.S. full-power broadcasters.

Households along the U.S.-Mexico border already have low rates of cable or satellite television subscription and many speak English as a second language.  Because of these challenges, these households are already difficult to educate about the DTV transition.  With the added complication of ample analog Spanish-language programming originating in Mexico available in the border region after 2009, thousands of households in these border communities could be left behind in the DTV transition.  The continued availability of analog full-power broadcasting will ensure that residents along the U.S.-Mexico border continue to receive emergency information and news over the U.S. television broadcast system.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced S. 2507, the Senate companion on December 20, 2007. It is pending consideration by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

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