REPORT ON COMMUNICATIONS IMPLICATIONS OF STATUTORY LICENSING MODIFICATIONS.

SEC. 303. REPORT ON COMMUNICATIONS IMPLICATIONS OF STATUTORY LICENSING MODIFICATIONS.(a) Study.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a study that analyzes and evaluates the changes to the carriage requirements currently imposed on multichannel video programming 124 STAT. 1256 distributors under the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) and the regulations promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission that would be required or beneficial to consumers, and such other matters as the Comptroller General deems appropriate, if Congress implemented a phase-out of the current statutory licensing requirements set forth under sections 111, 119, and 122 of title 17, United States Code. Among other things, the study shall consider the impact such a phase-out and related changes to carriage requirements would have on consumer prices and access to programming.(b) Report.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall report to the appropriate Congressional committees the results of the study, including any recommendations for legislative or administrative actions.