Bill · H.R. 5311· House(119-HR-5311)
CABLE Expansion Act
- Introduced
- 9/11/2025
- Last activity
- 9/11/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Julie Fedorchak
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Connecting And Building Lines for Expedited Expansion Act" (or "CABLE Expansion Act") amends the Communications Act of 1934. It aims to preserve the authority of franchising authorities over the placement, construction, and modification of covered facilities. However, it limits this authority by preventing regulations that prohibit a cable operator's ability to provide or enhance cable service. It also sets specific deadlines for franchising authorities to approve or deny requests for these facilities.
Yes· 3 of 14
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
Expedited expansion is most impactful for those in underserved rural regions.
Does this get reliable internet to more people?+5
The bill explicitly aims to enhance the ability to provide and expand cable services.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
Cable operators benefit from reduced regulatory hurdles and faster deployment.
The opposite
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-4
It reduces the autonomy of local authorities to regulate facility placement and timing.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Cable Service: The bill ensures that franchising authority regulations cannot prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the ability of a cable operator to provide or enhance cable service (Section 2, paragraph (2)(A)).
-
Faster Service Deployment: The bill mandates specific timeframes for decisions on facility requests, requiring approval or denial within 90 days for eligible support infrastructure and 150 days for other requests (Section 2, paragraph (2)(B)(i)(I)).
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Accountability in Decision Making: Any denial of a request must be in writing, supported by substantial evidence in a written record, and released publicly (Section 2, paragraph (2)(B)(i)(IV)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Limits on Local Authority: The bill places limitations on the ability of a franchising authority to regulate the placement, construction, or modification of covered facilities if those regulations prohibit the provision or enhancement of cable service (Section 2, paragraph (2)(A)).
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Strict Deadlines for Local Officials: Franchising authorities must adhere to strict timeframes for decisions and cannot use moratoriums to toll these timeframes (Section 2, paragraph (2)(B)(i)(II) and (III)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Farmers+2Good For High Income Households+2Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Students+2Good For Urban Residents+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2Increases Job Creation+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4Improves Government Transparency+3Increase States Rights-4
- 9/11/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House