Resolve, Directing the University of Maine System To Self-transition Its Educational Broadband Service from Analog to Digital

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the University of Maine System has operated and maintained an instructional television network using licensed Educational Broadband Service, or "EBS," channels since 1989; and

Whereas,  the Federal Communications Commission has mandated that EBS licensees transition to a new band plan, which requires the use of digital transmissions; and

Whereas,  certain licensees, including the University of Maine System, must provide to the Federal Communications Commission by April 21, 2009 a notice in order to self-transition; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Self-transition; notice. Resolved: That, in accordance with 47 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 27.1236 (2008), the University of Maine System shall notify the Secretary of the Federal Communications Commission on or before April 21, 2009 that the system will self-transition by relocating to its default channel locations specified in federal regulations.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

summary

This resolve requires the University of Maine System to notify the Secretary of the Federal Communications Commission on or before April 21, 2009 that the University of Maine System will self-transition its Educational Broadband Service by relocating to its default channel locations specified in federal regulations.