Senate Committee on Finance forwards bill clarifying franchise-tax treatment for local radio broadcasters

Senator Huffman, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, opened the meeting and recognized Senator Perry, who presented Senate Bill 263, a bill clarifying franchise‑tax treatment for local radio broadcasters.

Senator Perry said, “Senate Bill 263 is radio broadcaster franchise tax. We passed this out last session, got through the house, and it is back again.” He explained the bill “adds defining language that clarifies that certain existing franchise type provisions applicable to broadcastings apply not only to free, but over the air local television broadcasters licensed by Federal Communications Commission. But it's also similarly situated free and over the air local FCC licensed radio broadcasters.”

The nut graf: the bill seeks to make franchise‑tax rules for radio consistent with those for local television broadcasters, and the sponsor told the committee the change is intended to avoid inconsistent taxation of locally licensed broadcasters.

In discussion, Senator Perry said the change is “consistent with the current tax code applicable to broadcasting and live and prerecorded television radio programs. It helps ensure franchise tax consistency between radio and television broadcasters.” He also noted a “small fiscal note” and that the comptroller had been listed as a resource witness.

There was no public testimony. Senator Perry moved that SB 263 be referred to the full Senate “with the recommendation that do pass and be printed.” The clerk called the roll and the committee recorded 11 ayes, no nays; the chair certified the bill for the local and uncontested calendar.

Ending: With the committee vote, SB 263 advanced to the full Senate for further consideration; no amendments or additional committee conditions were recorded in the transcript.