HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 HJM 4035

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                     Energy & Utilities

Brief Description:  Requesting congressional action to allow state and local governments more authority to regulate cable TV.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Haugen, Grant, R. Meyers, Jacobsen and Rayburn.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Energy & Utilities, February 7, 1992, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Grant, Chair; May, Ranking Minority Member; Hochstatter, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bray; Casada; Cooper; R. Fisher; Jacobsen; and Rayburn.

Minority Report: Do not pass.  Signed by 2 members:  Representatives H. Myers, Vice Chair; and Miller.

Staff:  Fred Adair (786-7113).

Background:

A number of complaints have been received concerning cable television service.  Some people have had difficulty in obtaining cable service and others with the service have complained of high prices and poor service.

Because the federal government has preempted control over cable television service, state and local governments have had little power to compel improvements in service.

A number of bills are under consideration in Congress which would give more control over cable television to state and local governments.

Summary of Bill:  Congress is urged to enact legislation which would grant more authority to state and local governments to affect cable television service.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There is support for asking the federal government to give state and local governments more authority as well as for federal action to promote competition in the industry.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Bob Bratton, General Telephone & Electronics Company; and Roger Serwold, United Telephone Company.