Cable Telecommunications Act of 1982

Summary

Cable Telecommunications Act of 1982 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to set forth provisions governing cable telecommunications. Grants the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) jurisdiction over cable systems solely as specified in this Act. Makes Federal regulations that are inconsistent with this Act null and void. Grants State and local governments the authority to adopt or continue in force any regulation that is not inconsistent with the grants of authority in this Act and is not forbidden by this Act. Prohibits regulation of the ownership of cable systems. Excludes from such prohibition: (1) regulation by the Federal antitrust laws; (2) FCC regulation of foreign persons to ensure reciprocal market access for U.S. cable enterprises in foreign markets; (3) the prohibition against State or local agencies acquiring an ownership interest in a cable system at less than fair market value or controlling a cable system's programming; and (4) the prohibition against telecommunications carriers, except those serving rural areas, providing cable services in the same operating area without FCC permission. Directs the FCC to require cable systems with 20 or more television broadcast channels to set aside on a nondiscriminatory basis: (1) ten percent of such channels for use by public, educational, and governmental channel programers; and (2) ten percent of such channels for use by leased channel programers until the FCC determines that there are reasonably available alternatives for providing programming service in a particular geographic area or market. Authorizes each State or local government or cable franchising authority to fix the rates, on a nondiscriminatory basis, charged for: (1) basic services; and (2) the use or sale of cable channel capacity or time on channels set aside for public, educational, or governmental programming. Prohibits regulation of the rates charged by cable system operators for leased channels. States that cable operators have no liability for programs on public, educational, governmental, or leased channels or for programs originated by a channel programer that is not affiliated with the cable system operator. Authorizes the FCC to regulate the carriage of radio and television broadcast signals by cable system operators. Prohibits requiring a cable operator to comply with the fairness doctrine, equal time, and reasonable access provisions of the Communications Act. Directs the FCC to establish a reasonable ceiling for the franchise fees charged by States and local governments to cable system operators. Prohibits unauthorized interception or receipt of broadband telecommunications. Prohibits disclosure of any personally identifiable information with respect to the cable subscriber or to the services provided the subscriber, except pursuant to court order or prior written consent of the subscriber. Authorizes criminal and civil penalties for violations of the cable subscriber's privacy. Directs the FCC to ensure that cable system operators: (1) conform to certain technical standards; (2) maintain and submit to the FCC the records and reports required by this Act; and (3) provide equal employment opportunity. Prohibits cable systems from retransmitting into an area within 50 miles of the home stadium of a club that belongs to a professional sports league the broadcast of a game involving that club or a member of that league without the club's consent. Authorizes courts to grant injunctions to prevent signal piracy. Makes persons who violate signal piracy provisions liable for damages. Sets forth methods of computing such damages. Provides for criminal penalties for violations of signal piracy provisions.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 4 March 1982

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 4 March 1982

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 26 April 1982

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Communications. Hearings held.

   Source: Committee

4. 27 April 1982

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Communications. Hearings held.

   Source: Committee

5. 28 April 1982

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Communications. Hearings held.

   Source: Committee

6. 22 July 1982

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

   Source: Committee

7. 10 August 1982

   Calendars

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Regular Orders. Calendar No. 746.

   Source: Calendars

8. 10 August 1982

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Packwood with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 97-518.

   Source: Committee

9. 10 August 1982

   Reported

   Committee on Commerce. Reported to Senate by Senator Packwood with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 97-518.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

2 official files

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 10 August 1982

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 4 March 1982

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Goldwater, Barry [R-AZ] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Kasten, Robert W., Jr. [R-WI-9] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Schmitt, Harrison H. [R-NM] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Kassebaum, Nancy Landon [R-KS] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK] · R · Cosponsor
• · sscm00 · Standing

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.