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119-hr-5290119th Congress

Cable Transparency Act

Sponsored By: Representative Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

Introduced

Summary

Streamlines how cable franchising requirements can be changed or ended. This bill would create a formal process for cable operators to seek elimination or modification of franchise requirements, set firm deadlines for local franchising authorities, and revise how franchise terms and revocations work.

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  • Cable operators would get a defined path to ask to remove or change franchise requirements. Requests must meet completeness rules, can cite "commercial impracticability," and would be judged against a requirement to maintain the mix, quality, and level of cable services in place when the franchise was granted.
  • Franchising authorities would face strict timelines. They would generally have 120 days to act on complete elimination or modification requests and 90 days after an operator-initiated revocation request for the operator to effect revocation.
  • Subscribers and local communities would keep protections for public, educational, or governmental access. Except for those services, an authority that misses the deadline would have the elimination or modification deemed to have occurred.
  • Courts and the Commission would have clear review paths. The bill would provide standards-based judicial review, de novo administrative or judicial review of revocations, and appeal and stay procedures.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Clear rules to end or revoke franchises

If enacted, operators could ask in writing to end a franchise. If the request is complete, the authority must revoke it 90 days after receipt, or it would be deemed revoked the next day. A franchising authority could revoke only for a knowing, willful, substantial failure to meet a material rule, after a reasonable chance to fix it, and if it did not waive or accept the failure. Operators could seek de novo review by the Commission or go to court, and revocations could be paused during review. Franchises would otherwise continue without renewal and can end only under these procedures.

Faster franchise rule changes for cable

If enacted, cable operators could ask to remove or change a franchise rule. A request would be complete if the operator takes the first step the authority requires and no written notice lists missing items within 30 days. Electronic filings count when sent; in‑person when delivered. The authority would have 120 days to act, and must grant changes for good cause (like new laws, tech changes, or commercial impracticability) if the mix, quality, and level of service are kept. If the authority misses the 120‑day deadline, it would be treated as approved the next day, except for public, educational, or government access services. Decisions could be reviewed in court under section 635.

When these cable rules would apply

If enacted, these changes would start six months after the bill becomes law. They would apply to franchises granted on or after that date. They would also apply to older franchises still in effect, and to expired franchises if the operator kept performing under the old terms.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14]

TX • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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