CABLE Competition Act
Sponsored By: Representative Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]
Introduced
Summary
Easier cable system transfers is the core goal of the bill: it would limit franchising authorities from blocking or adding extra conditions to sales and set clear rules for when cable franchises can change hands. It would also require governments that acquire systems after a franchise revocation to pay fair market value, broadly define what counts as a franchise transfer, and take effect six months after enactment.
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- Local franchising authorities would no longer be able to preclude transfers to buyers who were not the original grantee. They may require the current franchise holder to provide written notice at least 15 days before such a transfer.
- Cable operators would face fewer local hurdles when selling, merging, assigning, restructuring, or changing control of a system because those actions are all defined as "transfers of a franchise." Any transferee must accept all franchise terms that apply at the time of transfer.
- When a franchise is revoked and a franchising authority acquires or permits transfer of the system the authority must acquire or allow the transfer at fair market value. The rules apply to franchises granted on or after the effective date and to existing or expired franchises that an operator continues to perform under.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Fair market value after franchise revocation
If enacted, when a cable franchise is revoked, any local franchising authority takeover or re-sale would have to be at fair market value. This would start 6 months after enactment.
Easier cable franchise transfers with notice
If enacted, this would make it easier to transfer a local cable franchise. Local franchising authorities could not block a transfer to a new owner if the new owner accepts all current franchise terms. They could still require written notice up to 15 days before the transfer. A transfer would include mergers, sales, restructurings, assignments, or changes in control. These rules would start 6 months after enactment. They would cover new franchises after that date, and older ones still in effect or still being performed after expiration.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]
IN • R
Cosponsors
Goldman (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 8/8/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov