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119-s-1994119th CongressWALLET

Protecting Community Television Act

Sponsored By: Senator Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

Introduced

Summary

Rewrites the legal definition of the "franchise fee" in federal law. This bill would replace the word "includes" with "means" and insert the phrase "other monetary" before "assessment" in the definition at 47 U.S.C. 542(g)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934, changing the statutory wording that describes what counts as a franchise fee.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Changes to cable franchise fees

This bill would change the federal definition of a cable "franchise fee." It would replace the word "includes" with "means" and add the words "other monetary" before "assessment" in 47 U.S.C. 542(g)(1). If enacted, this could narrow or clarify which payments count as franchise fees. That could change how cable companies, local governments, and subscribers treat some charges on bills. The change would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

    ME • I

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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