Bill > HR1103

This bill, called the "Consumer Access to Broadband for Local Economies and Competition Act" or the "CABLE Competition Act," amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit franchising authorities from requiring approval for the sale of cable systems. Specifically, the bill states that if a franchise is denied renewal or revoked for cause, the cable system must be transferred at fair market value, with no value allocated to the franchise itself. Additionally, the bill limits the authority of franchising authorities to preclude a cable operator from transferring a franchise to a person not originally granted the franchise or to require approval for such a transfer, though it allows the franchising authority to be notified of the transfer. The provisions of the bill will take effect six months after the date of enactment and apply to franchise agreements granted on or after that date, or to existing franchise agreements still in effect at that time.