120-Day Rule Could Force Localities to Approve New Cable Franchises or Lose Control

The aptly named CABLE Leadership Act aims to rewire how quickly new broadband and cable providers can enter a local market, and it’s doing it by putting local government bodies on a very short clock. Essentially, this bill is designed to speed up the process of getting a franchise—the local permission needed to run wires and provide service—by imposing strict deadlines on the local government agencies that grant them.

The 120-Day Countdown to Automatic Approval

Here’s the core of the change: Once a local franchising authority receives a complete request for a new franchise, they have exactly 120 days to approve or deny it. If they miss that deadline, the application is automatically considered granted on day 121. This is a game-changer because it removes the local government’s ability to slow-walk or indefinitely delay a decision. Think of it like a strict closing date on a house sale—if the local body doesn't sign the papers in time, the deal goes through anyway. The bill explicitly states that the authority cannot pause or stop this 120-day timeline, even if they try to impose a temporary freeze on reviewing applications.

The 30-Day Trap for Local Officials

So, what makes a request “complete” and starts this short clock? The bill sets up a procedural trap for local authorities. When a provider submits their initial application, the franchising authority has 30 days to respond with a written notice detailing exactly what information is missing. They must also cite the specific rule that requires that missing information. If the local authority fails to send that perfectly detailed notice within 30 days, the application is automatically considered complete, and the 120-day clock starts ticking on day 31. For providers, this means they can put serious pressure on local governments, knowing that a minor procedural slip-up by the local office can fast-track their application.

What This Means for Your Town and Your Bill

This act is a massive win for providers looking to expand quickly. If you’re a provider, you love this because it cuts through bureaucratic red tape and speeds up market entry. Faster market entry could translate to more competition and potentially lower prices or better service for consumers—the ultimate goal of a bill like this. If you’re a local government official, however, this is a headache. These agencies often manage complex infrastructure issues, negotiate public access requirements, and ensure compliance with local zoning. Now, they have four months to get all that done, or they lose all leverage. This tight deadline could force approvals without adequate time for due diligence, potentially sacrificing local requirements—like commitments to serve underserved areas or specific public access channels—just to avoid the automatic approval trigger.

Transparency, But Only on Denials

There is one provision that demands accountability from the local side: If the franchising authority decides to deny a request, they must do so in writing, back it up with substantial evidence found in a written record, and make that denial public immediately. They also have to give a copy to the applicant the very same day. This ensures that if a local body does reject a provider, they can’t just say “no” without proof. They have to show their work. This is a clear move toward transparency, but it only applies to the denial process, not to the rapid-fire approval process driven by the 120-day clock.