US Federal House Bill HB3879

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/10/25
• Refer: 6/10/25

Caption

Broadcast VOICES Act

Summary

HB3879, the Broadcast VOICES Act, is a federal bill aimed at increasing diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry. It directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to collect and report data on the number and value of broadcast stations owned by socially disadvantaged individuals, and to make recommendations to Congress on how to increase such ownership. The bill defines socially disadvantaged individuals to include women and individuals subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias. The bill also creates a new FCC tax certificate program for certain broadcast station transactions that result in, or preserve, ownership by socially disadvantaged individuals. Under that program, the FCC would certify qualifying sales, set rules for eligibility, impose limits on transaction value and volume, require minimum holding periods and management participation, and monitor compliance through periodic certifications and reporting. In addition, the bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide nonrecognition of gain or loss for qualifying sales and creates a new tax credit for certain charitable contributions of broadcast stations or interests in stations to entities that train socially disadvantaged individuals in station management and operations. The bill would amend both the Communications Act of 1934 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It would add a new section to the Communications Act establishing the FCC certification and reporting framework, and a new tax provision allowing favorable treatment for qualifying station sales. It would also create a business tax credit for eligible contributions, while denying a separate charitable deduction for contributions that receive the credit. Several provisions are time-limited, including a sunset on the tax nonrecognition rules after 16 years. The general sentiment reflected in the bill text is supportive of expanding ownership opportunities for women and minority broadcasters, with the stated goal of increasing viewpoint diversity and correcting longstanding underrepresentation. The findings cite low ownership percentages for women and minorities and reference the historical minority tax certificate program as evidence that targeted incentives can affect ownership patterns. No committee transcript or vote data is available, so there is no recorded opposition or floor-level debate in the provided materials. The main points of potential contention are likely to center on the use of tax incentives and FCC preferences based on race, ethnicity, and sex, as well as the administrative burden of the certification and reporting regime. The bill also raises possible questions about how the FCC would define and verify “socially disadvantaged” status, how transaction limits would be set, whether the program should extend beyond broadcast stations, and whether the ownership-diversity-to-viewpoint-diversity connection is sufficiently established. These issues are flagged indirectly by the bill’s required FCC examination and future report to Congress.

Impact

HB3879 would amend the Communications Act of 1934 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create a federal framework encouraging ownership of broadcast stations by women and individuals who have faced racial or ethnic prejudice. It would require FCC reports to Congress, authorize FCC certification of qualifying station sales, and establish tax benefits for certain transactions and charitable contributions involving broadcast stations. The bill would also impose compliance, reporting, and sunset provisions that shape how the incentives operate over time.

Sentiment

The bill’s overall tone is affirmative and remedial, emphasizing diversity of ownership, expanded access to broadcasting opportunities, and the public-interest value of broader viewpoints in media. The findings section presents the legislation as a response to persistent underrepresentation of women and minority owners in radio and television. Because no votes or committee discussion transcripts were provided, there is no documented bipartisan or partisan sentiment beyond the bill’s pro-diversity framing.

Contention

Likely areas of contention include whether the FCC should use tax certificates and tax credits to influence ownership, whether the bill’s definitions of socially disadvantaged individuals are appropriate, and whether the ownership preferences could raise legal or policy concerns. Another possible dispute is the bill’s reliance on a presumed link between ownership diversity and viewpoint diversity, which the FCC is specifically directed to study and report on. Administrative complexity, compliance monitoring, and the scope of the program—especially the possibility of expanding it beyond broadcast stations—are also likely to be debated.