47 U.S.C. § 555a — Limitation of franchising authority liability

In any court proceeding pending on or initiated after October 5, 1992, involving any claim against a franchising authority^* or other governmental entity, or any official, member, employee, or agent of such authority or entity, arising from the regulation of cable service^* or from a decision of approval or disapproval with respect to a grant, renewal, transfer, or amendment of a franchise^*, any relief, to the extent such relief is required by any other provision of Federal, State^*, or local law, shall be limited to injunctive relief and declaratory relief.

The limitation contained in subsection (a) shall not apply to actions that, prior to such violation, have been determined by a final order of a court of binding jurisdiction, no longer subject to appeal, to be in violation of a cable operator’s rights.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the relief authorized with respect to any claim against a franchising authority or other governmental entity, or any official, member, employee, or agent of such authority or entity, to the extent such claim involves discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, or handicap.

Nothing in this section shall be construed as creating or authorizing liability of any kind, under any law, for any action or failure to act relating to cable service or the granting of a franchise by any franchising authority or other governmental entity, or any official, member, employee, or agent of such authority or entity.