CABLE Expansion Act
The CABLE Expansion Act would amend the Communications Act to reaffirm that local cable franchising authorities maintain control over where and how cable facilities are placed, built, or modified, while introducing expedited timelines for these decisions. The bill creates a new framework to speed authorizations for placing or upgrading covered cable facilities on eligible support infrastructure, aiming to accelerate cable service expansion. It sets specific deadlines (90 days for projects on eligible support infrastructure, 150 days otherwise), requires written, evidence-based decisions, and defines what constitutes a complete request and when it is considered received. Overall, it seeks to speed deployment while preserving local franchising authority and ensuring that timely approvals do not block cable service or result in improper delays.
Key Points
- 1Preserves franchising authority: The bill states that, with limited exceptions, local franchising authorities retain control over placement, construction, and modification of covered facilities within their jurisdiction.
- 2Expedited timelines: Franchising authorities must approve or deny a complete request within 90 days if the project involves eligible support infrastructure, or 150 days for other cases.
- 3Complete request rules: A request is considered complete after the authority has not provided a missing-information notice within 10 business days; “received” and “complete” timing rules are defined for electronic, in-person, and other submission methods.
- 4Written, evidenced decisions: Denials must be in writing, supported by substantial evidence in a written record, and publicly released at the same time as the decision.
- 5Definitions of key terms: The bill defines “eligible support infrastructure” and “covered facility” (cable service facilities that serve subscribers via easement or public right-of-way) to clarify what projects are subject to the expedited process.