Go Pack Go Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5165
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-04: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-01T12:35:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Go Pack Go Act of 2025" (H.R. 5165) aims to improve access to in-state television broadcast programming for cable and satellite subscribers in specific rural counties in Wisconsin. It allows these subscribers to choose signals from nearby in-state markets that have network affiliates (e.g., for local news or sports like Green Bay Packers games) when no local affiliate exists in their area, addressing gaps in coverage for state-specific content.
Key Provisions
- Subscriber Choice: In designated "covered counties" (rural areas in Wisconsin without local network affiliates), cable operators and satellite carriers must offer subscribers the option to receive either:
- The standard local network station signal (if available).
- An "in-state, adjacent-market network station retransmission" (signal from a network-affiliated station in the same state but a neighboring TV market).
- Or both.
- Fulfillment of Carriage Rules: Choosing the in-state adjacent signal counts as meeting federal requirements to carry local signals for cable (under sections 614/615) and satellite (under section 338).
- Exceptions and Limits:
- For cable: No need for retransmission consent (permission from the station) for these in-state signals; they are treated as "significantly viewed" (a regulatory status allowing mandatory carriage without extra fees).
- For satellite: These retransmissions do not count toward federal limits on distant signals; they must be technically feasible as determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Satellite carriers retain "qualified carrier" status (special permissions for serving small markets) even if providing these signals instead of locals.
- Copyright Licensing: Amends U.S. copyright law (sections 119 and 122) to include these retransmissions under existing satellite licenses for secondary transmissions (rebroadcasting), defining covered counties as Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Dunn, Florence, Iron, Pierce, Polk, Sawyer, St. Croix, or Washburn in Wisconsin.
- No Impact on Other Rights: Does not affect subscribers' ability to receive "significantly viewed" out-of-market signals.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Communications Act Amendments: Adds a new section 346 for subscriber elections; modifies section 339 (satellite carriage) to exempt these retransmissions from signal limits and add definitions; updates section 340 to preserve other viewing options.
- Copyright Law Changes: Expands satellite copyright licenses (sections 119 for distant signals and 122 for local signals) to cover in-state adjacent retransmissions without counting toward distant signal caps; adds definitions for "in-state, adjacent-market network station retransmission" and "covered county."
- These changes override some prior restrictions on carrying non-local signals, prioritizing in-state access in underserved areas while maintaining technical and regulatory safeguards.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Residents in the 14 specified Wisconsin counties gain more choice in TV programming, potentially improving access to in-state news, weather, and sports without extra costs or service disruptions.
- On Government Agencies: The FCC will determine technical feasibility for satellite providers, possibly requiring minor oversight or rulemaking, but no major new burdens.
- On Providers: Cable and satellite companies (e.g., Comcast, DirecTV) must implement subscriber election systems, which could involve software updates but fulfills existing obligations without new fees.
- No International Relations Impact: The bill is domestic, focused on U.S. broadcasting and copyright.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Subscribers in Covered Counties: Primary beneficiaries, especially in rural northern and western Wisconsin, for better in-state content access.
- Cable and Satellite Providers: Required to offer options; may face implementation costs but avoid consent negotiations.
- Television Networks and Stations: In-state adjacent stations gain more viewers; local stations unaffected as the bill targets areas without affiliates.
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Oversees technical feasibility and enforcement.
- Copyright Holders: Protected by license expansions, ensuring compensation through statutory royalties.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens consumer protections under communications law by expanding signal carriage options; integrates seamlessly with copyright frameworks to avoid infringement issues, as retransmissions are licensed.
- Constitutional: Neutral; promotes free speech and access to information without infringing on private property rights (e.g., station copyrights) or First Amendment concerns.
- Political: Targeted to Wisconsin-specific needs (e.g., Packers coverage in Packers Country), reflecting local advocacy; could set precedent for similar state-focused TV access bills in other rural areas, potentially influencing future media policy debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-04: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-09-04: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-09-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Go Pack Go Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-04 — PDF (9 pages)