CABLE Competition Act

Key Points

• This bill stops local governments from blocking the sale or transfer of cable TV systems. Currently, many cities and counties have the power to approve or deny when a cable company wants to sell its business to a new owner. This bill would take away that power as long as the new owner agrees to follow the existing contract rules.
• Cable companies would only have to give local officials 15 days' notice before a sale happens. This is a big change because it speeds up the process and prevents local leaders from asking for new deals or extra fees in exchange for allowing the sale to go through.
• If a local government decides to cancel a cable company's contract and take over the system themselves, they would be required to pay the company the fair market value for it. This ensures that companies are paid a fair price if the government decides to take over the service or give it to someone else.
• The goal of the bill is to make it easier for cable and broadband companies to merge or sell their businesses. Supporters believe this will lead to more investment in local internet and TV services, while critics often worry it reduces the power of local communities to hold companies accountable.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.