Assembly OKs Bill Limiting Cable TV Firms’ Late Fees

SACRAMENTO — A bill limiting late fees charged by cable television firms to $4.75 won Assembly approval Tuesday.

It also would give customers 27 days after the payment notice’s due date to pay before a late fee is assessed.

The bill by Sen. Bill Leonard (R-San Bernardino), already passed by the Senate, was approved 51-7. It returns to the Senate for a vote on Assembly amendments. Leonard said he expects the bill to win final approval there and be sent to the governor.

Current law is silent on the late fees that cable firms can charge, although late fees for installment payments are a maximum of $10, and for credit cards, $7 to $15. Current law also gives customers 22 days after the firm has mailed a bill before late fees can be charged.

Assemblyman Phillip Isenberg (D-Sacramento) said the state should not regulate fees and the issue should be left up to local governments.

“The issue is cable companies are charging late fees with a short time frame,” said Assemblyman Thomas M. Hannigan (D-Benicia). “I object to that. I’ve had it happen to me.”