NEWSReport No. CI 98- 2                COMPLIANCE AND INFO ACTION       March 9, 1998 

     COMMISSION ADOPTS SECOND FURTHER NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING
           REGARDING EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM MESSAGE OVERRIDES
                     (FO Docket Nos. 91-171, 91-301)

     On March 4, 1998, the Commission adopted a Second Further Notice of Proposed
Rule Making that seeks comment on whether the Commission should adopt rules that prohibit
cable systems from overriding a broadcasters station's emergency related programming with
state and local Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages.  EAS state and local messages are
voluntarily transmitted by EAS participants.  The Commission's rules currently permit a
cable system to enter into a voluntary agreement with a broadcast station to not override
emergency information with a state or local EAS message.

     The Commission also seeks comment to: (1) determine any additional costs and
equipment that may be required for a cable system to perform selective channel overrides;
(2) to determine whether the broadcaster or the cable system should be responsible for those
costs; and (3) the affect of this proposal on local franchise provisions.

     Action by the Commission March 4, 1998, by Second Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking (FCC 98-33).  Chairman Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth,
Powell and Tristani.
 - FCC -
                                    
 Compliance and Information Bureau contact:  EAS staff at (202) 418-1220.