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league of minnesota cities <br />October 19, 1983 <br />TO: Mayors, Managers, and Clerks <br />From: Don Slater, Executive Director <br />Cathy Quiggle, Research Assistant <br />RE: Cable Legislation <br />Attached is a summary of HR 4103, the Cable Telecommunications Act of 1983, <br />introduced October 6 by Rep. Tim Wirth, Chairman of the House <br />Telecommunications Subcommittee. The bill is contrary to the League policy <br />which provides for local control of cable television. The major problems with <br />the bill are that it: <br />--Prohibits local governments from regulating <br />basic cable television rates, unless the <br />community has less than four television <br />stations; <br />--Provides for a presumption and expectancy of <br />renewal of cable television franchises, with <br />a de novo court review should local government <br />try to award franchise to a competitor of the <br />existing company; <br />--Permits the abrogation of contract provisions <br />covering facilities and equipment and cable <br />services; and <br />--Fail to completely grandfather existing franchisee. <br />The House is expected to hold hearings on this bill in late October. The <br />cable industry is lobbying intensely in favor of this bill, thus it is crucial <br />for concerned city officials to contact congressional representatives and <br />express strong opposition to the bill. You may also want to request an <br />opportunity to testify against the bill and thereby delay action. In any <br />case, House members need to hear the views of city officials right away. <br />For more information contact Cathy Quiggle at the League office; <br />(612) 227-5600. 4 <br />'1 Ei3 un vo-rr ,it y uvenu r n:;L. 5t.• P xil, inesota 55101 [612) 227-5600 <br />