Communications Act Amendments of 1978
Public Law 95-234 · H.R. 7442 · 95th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Feb 21, 1978 · Science, Technology, Communications
Sponsor: Rep. Timothy Wirth (D-CO-2)
Cosponsors (16): Rep. James Broyhill, Rep. Clarence Brown,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
(House receded from certain amendments)
Communications Act Amendments - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to increase from $1,000 to $2,000 the maximum amount of a forfeiture penalty which may be assessed by the Federal Communications Commission in addition to any other penalty provided for by such Act against any person violating the terms of any license, permit certificate, or other authorization issued by the Commission.
Directs the Commission, when determining the amount of the forfeiture penalty, to consider the nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of the prohibited acts.
Provides that if any person fails to pay an assessment of a forfeiture penalty after it has become final the Commission shall refer the matter to the Attorney General of the United States who shall recover the amount assessed in any appropriate United States district court.
Directs that no forfeiture liability shall be determined against any person not holding a license, permit, certificate, or other authorization issued by the Commission, unless prior to the notice of apparent liability such person (1) is sent a citation of the violation charged; (2) is given a reasonable opportunity for a personal interview with an official of the Commission; and (3) subsequently engages in the type of conduct described in the citation.
Repeals the authorization for the assessment of a forfeiture penalty against any person violating the rules governing radio stations operating in common carrier, safety and special radio fields.
Revises the limitations on the jurisdiction of the Commission over connecting communications common carriers.
Directs the Commission to regulate the rates, terms and conditions for pole attachments which are not regulated by any State authority.
Directs the Commission to hear and resolve complaints concerning such rates, terms, and conditions and to issue cease and desist orders.
Defines the term "pole attachment," for purposes of this section, as any attachment for wire communication on a pole, duct, conduit, or other right-of-way controlled by a utility.
Defines the term "just and reasonable rate" by describing a range within which a reasonable and just cable television (CATV) pole attachment must fall. Limits to five years from the date of enactment of this Act the effectiveness of such definition of "just and reasonable rate.
Includes the State of Hawaii within the definition of "Continental United States" for the purposes of such Act.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 18 actions.
- Feb 21, 1978Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 95-234.
- Feb 10, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- Feb 9, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Feb 6, 1978Resolving differencesResolving differences · House receded from certain amendments.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendment to certain House amendment.
- Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to certain House amendment with an amendment.
- FloorFloor · Senate disagreed to certain House amendments.
- Feb 1, 1978Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendment with an amendment.
- Jan 31, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended, in lieu of S. 1547.
- CommitteeCommittee · Discharged from Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Oct 27, 1977CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
- Oct 25, 1977FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended.
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Energy and Commerce Committee
- May 25, 1977CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Energy and Commerce Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.