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Read. Follow. Verify.Protecting Community Television Act (H.R. 3805)
Last action · June 6, 2025: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.Sponsors: Troy Carter and 7 others
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What This Bill Would Do
This bill proposes a technical change to the to narrow the legal definition of a '' paid by cable operators to local governments. By changing the language from 'includes' to 'means,' the bill aims to restrict what types of payments can be classified as franchise fees.
This bill changes the legal definition of s, which could impact the amount of revenue local governments collect from cable companies and potentially affect the funding available for public, educational, and governmental (PEG) television channels.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Local Governments
Local governments may see changes in the types of fees they are legally permitted to collect from cable operators.
Cable Operators
Cable operators may see changes in their financial obligations and the classification of payments made to local franchising authorities.
Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) Channel Operators
These entities may be affected if the change in franchise fee definitions alters the funding streams provided by local cable franchises.
Key Facts
- The bill is titled the 'Protecting Community Television Act'.
- It amends Section 622(g)(1) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 542(g)(1)).
- The amendment changes the definition of 'franchise fee' from 'includes' to 'means'.
- The amendment inserts the phrase 'other monetary' before the word 'assessment' in the definition.
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- The bill was introduced by Mr. Carter of Louisiana on June 6, 2025.
- The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a franchise fee in this context?
How does this bill change the law?
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jun 6, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Jun 6, 2025HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
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Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Narrowing Regulatory Definitions
The shift from 'includes' to 'means' is a common legislative tactic to restrict the scope of a definition, suggesting an intent to limit the types of payments classified as franchise fees.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance45How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy30Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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