FL H0175

Amends section 1001.26, Florida Statutes, to expand eligibility for state public broadcasting funding to include nondenominational television stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission as full-power educational broadcast stations as of July 1, 2010.

Authorizes the Department of Education to provide equipment, funds, and services to both existing and proposed educational television and radio systems operated by tax-supported and nonprofit facilities that meet Corporation for Public Broadcasting qualifications or are nondenominational full-power educational broadcast stations.

Maintains existing requirements that new stations receiving funding must provide first service to underserved audiences or provide significant new program services as defined by State Board of Education rules.

Allows educational television and educational radio appropriations to be used interchangeably by the department for either service or both.

Takes effect July 1, 2010.