House Commerce Committee Democrats have “major concerns” about...

House Commerce Committee Democrats have “major concerns" about the draft version of the LPTV and Translator Act, one Democratic staffer told us over the weekend. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, authored the bill, unveiled last week to some stakeholder frustration (CD July 21 p2), and expects to include Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., as a co-sponsor. Its goal is to protect low-power entities in the FCC’s broadcast TV spectrum incentive auction. The subcommittee plans to consider the bill in a legislative hearing Thursday at 10:15 a.m. in 2322 Rayburn. But Democrats worry about the bill due to possible restraints placed on the FCC’s ability to successfully conduct its incentive auction, the staffer said. One broadcast industry lobbyist told us the bill should not affect the auction, pointing to specific legislative language prioritizing the auction’s success over the low-power interests. “The auction is still primary,” the lobbyist said Monday of the draft bill language, yet also dismissing the bill as simply maintaining “status quo” and ultimately coming across as “a big nothing to me.” Multiple stakeholders outlined those same concerns to us Friday.