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HR 5639 101th Congress House

To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide immunity from damages to cable franchising authorities for cable regulatory actions, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 17, 1990 Introduced by: Schumer, Charles E. Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Cable televisionDiscriminationFranchises (Retail trade)Government liabilityInjunctions
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 24, 1990
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.
Sep 17, 1990
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sep 17, 1990
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 24, 1990

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that, in court actions involving claims against cable television franchising authorities or other governmental entities arising from the regulation of cable communications or the approval or disapproval of a grant, renewal, transfer, or amendment of a franchise, any relief shall be limited to injunctive and declaratory relief. (Excepts from such limitation actions that have been determined by a final order of a court of binding jurisdiction to be in violation of a cable operator's rights prior to enactment of this Act).

States that such limitation shall not apply with respect to any claim against a franchising authority based on discrimination involving race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, or handicap.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5639: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide immunity from damages to cable franchising authorities for cable regulatory actions, and for other purposes.. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-5639/
MLA
"H.R. 5639: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide immunity from damages to cable franchising authorities for cable regulatory actions, and for other purposes.." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-5639/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5639, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-5639/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5639: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide immunity from damages to cable franchising authorities for cable regulatory actions, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-5639/)
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