Transparency for Cable Consumers Act

Bill: 116-hr-1555
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Brindisi, Anthony [D-NY-22]
Introduced: 2019-03-06
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies

Congressional oversight

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

User charges and fees
Latest action: action_date: 2019-03-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-03-06
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Transparency for Cable Consumers Act</b></p> <p>This bill requires cable operators and internet service providers that have been directed to pay at least $1,000,000 to a state in fines or penalties to submit an annual report to the Federal Communications Commission that includes both consumer and internet service data. </p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1555 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 6, 2019 Mr. Brindisi introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require cable operators and internet service providers who are subject to State fines to submit a report, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Transparency for Cable Consumers Act . 2. FCC reporting requirement for cable operators and internet service providers who are subject to State fines Title VII of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 601 et. seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 723. Reporting requirement for cable operators and internet service providers subject to State fines and penalties (a) Report required Not later than October 1 of each year for a period of ten years that begins the year following a year in which a cable operator or internet service provider begins making payments to a State that qualifies the operator or provider as a covered entity, the covered entity shall submit to the Commission a report that includes the following: (1) The total number of customers the covered entity has in each county in which the covered entity operates in that State. For the second through tenth such report, the percentage increase or decrease from the previous 12 months for each such county. (2) The average monthly customer billed amount in each county in which the covered entity operates in that State for the previous 12 months. For the second through tenth such report, the percentage increase or decrease from the previous 12 months for each county. (3) In the case of a cable provider that is a covered entity, the average billed amount for cable service for each county in which the covered entity operates in that State for the previous 12 months. (4) In the case of an internet service provider that is a covered entity, the average billed amount for broadband internet service for each county in which the covered entity operates in that State for the previous 12 months. (5) In the case of a covered entity that is a cable operator and an internet service provider, a separate report for both the average billed amount for cable service and the average billed amount for broadband internet service for each county in which the covered entity operates in that State for the previous 12 months. (6) The average internet speeds delivered to customers in each county in which the covered entity has operated in that State for the previous 12 months, including the average upload and download speed. For years 2–10 of the reporting requirement, this must also include the percentage increase or decrease from the previous year for each county. (7) A list of all additional fees which appeared on customers’ bills during the past 12 months as well as the average charge for each fee for each county in which the company operates in that State. For the second through tenth such report, the percentage increase or decrease from the previous 12 months for each county. (b) Submission to Congress Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Commission receives a report under subsection (a), the Commission shall submit such report to each Member of Congress from the relevant State. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Broadband internet service The term broadband internet service — (A) means a mass-market retail service by wire or radio that provides the capability to transmit data to and receive data from all or substantially all internet endpoints, including any capabilities that are incidental to and enable the operation of the communications service; (B) does not include dial-up internet access service; and (C) includes any service that the Commission finds to be providing a functional equivalent of the service described in subparagraph (A) or that is used to evade the protections set forth in part 8 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations. (2) Cable operator; cable service The terms cable operator and cable service have the meanings given those terms in section 602. (3) County The term county includes a parish or borough. (4) Covered entity The term covered entity means a cable operator or internet service provider that is directed by a State Public Service Commission or State Department of Public Service to pay $1,000,000 or more to the State in fines or penalties. (5) Internet service provider The term internet service provider means any person or group of persons that provides broadband internet access service. (6) Member of Congress The term Member of Congress means a Senator or a Representative in, or Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress. .