A Visit to Our Nation’s Capital to Bring Awareness of HR 2289

Last month we explored the threat of HR 2289 (the federal preemption of local franchising rights for state and local government) and the provisions included within it. If it were to pass, major funding and distribution mechanisms of community television in the US would effectively end.

The Reauthorizing of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) – H.R. 7386

by Dave Garb, Legislative Committee Chair

Dangers of the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (H.R. 2289)

Last November, a dangerous bill passed out of the Congressional House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee, titled the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (H.R. 2289). H.R. 2289 gives telecommunication companies de facto power over local zoning laws:

Dangers of the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (H.R. 2289)

Last November, a dangerous bill passed from the Congressional House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee: The American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025 (H.R. 2289). H.R. 2289 gives telecommunication companies de-facto power over local zoning laws. It provides no public safety protections for construction of “deemed granted” facilities.

The Reauthorizing of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) – H.R. 7386

On February 10th, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology voted to reauthorize FirstNet.

Revisiting ADA Title II Web and Mobility Access Compliance to the WCAG 2.1 Level AA Rules

To prepare us for the important ADA Compliance Rules that are quickly approaching (by which many of us will have to abide), we want to once again review some information offered during JAG’s October General Meetings:

American Broadband Act of 2025

On December 3rd, the House of Representatives, Committee on Energy and Commerce, hastily voted on a group of bills known together as H.R. 2289, The American Broadband Act of 2025. Inside this potpourri of bills, was one that could affect just about all cable franchises in the United States. Basically, this is H.R. 3557 all over again.

A Special Webinar held on September 29th regarding the Altice PEG Channel Switches in New Jersey, and the Surrounding Tri-State Municipalities

Around the 21st of August, all PEG Stations who are part of the Altice/Optimum cable system had their channels switched from their normal positions to the 1300-1317 spectrum. It effected the entire tri-state area and no-one received messages from Altice that this change was coming or had time to re-brand our stations to inform our residents. 

After a lot of yelling from the municipalities and other parties, all channels were switched back to their original positions by the 3rd week of September.

Below are a some points that were made from our special webinar to prepare all of us for the future, in the event this channel change is attempted again:

A Special Webinar held on September 29th regarding the Altice PEG Channel Switches in New Jersey, and the Surrounding Tri-State Municipalities

Around the 21st of August, all PEG Stations who are part of the Altice/Optimum cable system had their channels switched from their normal positions to the 1300-1317 spectrum. It effected the entire tri-state area and no-one received messages from Altice that this change was coming or had time to re-brand our stations to inform our residents. 

After a lot of yelling from the municipalities and other parties, all channels were switched back to their original positions by the 3rd week of September.

Below are a some points that were made from our special webinar to prepare all of us for the future, in the event this channel change is attempted again:

Around the 21st of August, all PEG Stations who are part of the Altice/Optimum cable system had their channels switched from their normal positions to the 1300-1317 spectrum.

To make matters worse, PEG Operators, Municipal Clerks, Mayors, and the consumers were not notified of this switch happening, though Government Affairs for Altice stated they notified everyone.  Notifications in both the municipal and consumer level were nowhere to be found.  This change not only affected us here in New Jersey but also in New York and Connecticut.

On July 29, 2025, Representative Rob Menendez (NJ-08) led Democratic members of Congress from New Jersey in demanding that Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick immediately reverse harmful cuts to Digital Equity Act Programs that ensure low-income households, veterans, seniors, and other vulnerable Americans are able to fully participate in the modern economy.