Sponsors
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Last progress June 6, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 6, 2025 by Troy Carter
Changes the statutory wording that defines “franchise fee” in the Communications Act by replacing the broad term “includes” with the definitional term “means,” and indicates additional text will be added (the exact insertion text/placement is not available in the provided file). The change tightens the definition language and — combined with the unspecified inserted text — could narrow what charges count as franchise fees, with potential effects on local franchise revenues, cable/broadband providers, and legal interpretation by regulators and courts.
Replace the word "includes" with the word "means" in Section 622(g)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934.
Insert additional text into Section 622(g)(1) (the provided file states "by inserting before ." but does not include the text to be inserted or the insertion point).
Protecting Community Television Act
Updated 2 days ago
Last progress June 9, 2025 (8 months ago)
Who is affected and how:
Local governments / franchising authorities: Most directly affected. If certain charges no longer qualify as "franchise fees," localities could see reduced revenue streams tied to cable/broadband franchises. They may need to revisit franchise agreements and collection procedures and could pursue administrative or legal remedies to preserve revenue.
Cable and broadband providers / franchise holders: Likely to benefit if the definition excludes some charges previously treated as franchise fees. Providers may reclassify charges, change billing or contract terms, and possibly reduce franchise fee payments.
Consumers: Indirectly affected. Changes in franchise fee treatment could shift how providers recover costs (through lower fees or restructured charges) and could affect local services funded by franchise receipts (e.g., public, educational, governmental access channels).
Federal regulators and courts: Will be asked to interpret the narrower statutory language and any newly inserted text; this may cause rulemaking, advisory opinions, or litigation to resolve ambiguities.
Municipal contracts and private parties: Franchise agreements, municipal budgets, and related contractual arrangements may require renegotiation or legal review.
Overall effect: The change is procedural/definitional but may produce meaningful fiscal and operational effects where specific payments move in or out of the statutory "franchise fee" category. The lack of the inserted text adds legal uncertainty and increases the probability of disputes until clarified by implementing guidance or judicial interpretation.