H.R. 4927 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Aug 8, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryLimits cable franchise transfer restrictions
Right now, when a cable company wants to sell or transfer its local franchise to a new owner, state and local governments can block the deal. This bill would prevent those governments from blocking a sale if the new owner agrees to keep all the same terms as the current operator. Governments could still require 15 days' notice before the transfer happens.
How it affects you
If you get cable service, this could affect who owns your local cable company and what services you receive. The bill makes it easier for cable franchises to change hands, which could lead to different companies operating in your area, though the terms of service would stay the same. Local governments would have less power to stop these transactions.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Aug 8, 2025)
Consumer Access to Broadband for Local Economies and Competition Act or the CABLE Competition Act
This bill prohibits state and local cable franchising authorities from precluding certain transactions involving the sale or transfer of a cable franchise.
Providers of cable television service (cable operators) must generally obtain authorization (known as a franchise) from a state or local franchising authority in order to offer cable service in a given area. Under current law, a franchising authority may require a cable operator to obtain the authority’s approval before selling or transferring a franchise.
Under the bill, a franchising authority may not preclude a cable operator from selling or transferring a franchise to a new owner who agrees to accept all terms applicable to the cable operator at the time of the transaction. However, a franchising authority may require a cable operator to notify the authority at least 15 days before such a transaction.
The bill takes effect six months after it is enacted. Its provisions generally apply to franchises that (1) are granted on or after the effective date, or (2) were granted before the effective date and were in effect or operational on that date.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 4927
A BILL
CABLE Competition Act
Sponsor: Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN-9) · Introduced Aug 8, 2025 · Science, Technology, Communications · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Aug 8, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.”