CABLE Expansion Act

This bill keeps the power of cable “franchising authorities” to decide where cable facilities can be placed, built, or changed in their area, while adding guardrails and deadlines. It says their rules cannot block a cable company’s ability to provide or improve cable service. It also sets clear timelines: 90 days to decide if the work is on existing support infrastructure, and 150 days if not. Denials must be written, explain the reasons with evidence, and be made public. A request is treated as complete if the authority doesn’t say what’s missing within 10 business days. The bill defines key terms like “eligible support infrastructure” and “covered facility” (a cable facility that serves customers using an easement or public right‑of‑way) .

Key points:

• Who is affected: franchising authorities and cable operators; facilities that serve subscribers using an easement or public right‑of‑way.
• What changes: preserves franchising authority, bars rules that effectively prohibit service, sets 90/150‑day decision clocks, bans moratorium slowdowns, and requires written, public denials with evidence; clarifies when a request counts as complete (10 business days) .
• When: applies to requests to place, construct, or modify covered facilities, with the timelines described above.