WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) introduced the Connecting And Building Lines for Expedited (CABLE) Expansion Act to institute clear approval process deadlines for franchise authorities for broadband projects. This legislation will expedite critical processes to remove roadblocks to rapid broadband expansion.

“As we work to rapidly expand broadband access for Americans across the country, we must remove the barriers to expansion, like approval delays,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “It is my hope that this legislation, along with related legislation introduced by my colleagues, will help accelerate broadband expansion so we can meet the connectivity needs of families across the United States.”

This bill streamlines the permitting process for cable operators that apply to a franchise authority to deploy new or collocated facilities for cable service. The bill preserves local authority over siting facilities for cable service while establishing a “responsibility to respond” on franchising authorities and placing reasonable limits on aspects of such reviews, such as establishing criteria for denial and ensuring nondiscriminatory review requirements. Additionally, the bill establishes a timeline within which an application would be required to be approved or denied. If a request is not approved or denied with reason within the established timeframes, the request would automatically be deemed granted.

This legislation is part of a comprehensive package of 28 bills released by Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee that aim to turbocharge public and private investment by promoting new and upgraded infrastructure deployments, boosting competition, streamlining permitting processes, facilitating broadband deployment on federal lands, and closing the digital divide in both rural and urban areas.

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