Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019
Summary
Official Summary
Television Viewer Protection Act of 2019
This bill addresses provisions related to the retransmission of television-station signals and applies consumer-rights and transparency requirements to consumers' cable and satellite services.
Specifically, the bill makes permanent a provision that allows a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) to retransmit television-station signals directly to a home if the subscriber receiving the signal resides in an unserved household located outside the local market of such a station. The bill also allows an MVPD to designate a qualified MVPD buying group to negotiate on its behalf with large broadcast ownership groups regarding retransmission consent for broadcast programming.
Further, the bill requires that providers of internet, voice, mobile, data, and MVPD services (1) engage in transparent sales and e-billing, and (2) refrain from charging a consumer for using equipment not provided by the service provider.
Bill texts
Timeline
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9960-9961)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9960-9961)
House of Representatives
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
House of Representatives
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Senate