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 extends 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 advertising and e-billing; (2) provide notice of, and allow penalty-free termination for, an increase in the total amount of the service under a contract; and (3) refrain from charging a consumer for using equipment not provided by the service provider.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-12-11 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | Senate |
| 2019-12-10 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2019-12-10 | Floor | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9960-9961) | House floor actions |
| 2019-12-10 | Floor | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5035. | House floor actions |
| 2019-12-10 | Floor | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9960-9961) | House floor actions |
| 2019-12-10 | Floor | Mr. Doyle, Michael F. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. | House floor actions |
| 2019-12-09 | Calendars | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 265. | House floor actions |
| 2019-12-09 | Committee | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-329. | House floor actions |
| 2019-11-20 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. | House committee actions |
| 2019-11-20 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2019-11-14 | Committee | Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote . | House committee actions |
| 2019-11-14 | Committee | Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2019-11-13 | Committee | Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. | House committee actions |
| 2019-11-12 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. | House floor actions |
| 2019-11-12 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |
| 2019-06-04 | Committee | Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Prior to Introduction and Referral. | House committee actions |