---
kind: "section"
citation: "47 U.S.C. § 555"
title: "47"
title_heading: "Telecommunications"
number: "555"
heading: "Judicial proceedings"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/47/555"
units:
  - "Chapter 5 — Wire or Radio Communication"
  - "Subchapter V–A — Cable Communications"
  - "Part IV — Miscellaneous Provisions"
---

# §555. Judicial proceedings

- (a) **Actions to review determinations by franchising authorities—** Any [cable operator](/usc/47/522.md?p=5) adversely affected by any final determination made by a [franchising authority](/usc/47/522.md?p=10) under section [541(a)(1)](/usc/47/541.md?p=a-1), [545](/usc/47/545.md) or [546](/usc/47/546.md) of this title may commence an action within 120 days after receiving notice of such determination, which may be brought in—
  - (1) the district court of the [United States](/usc/47/153.md?p=58) for any judicial district in which the [cable system](/usc/47/522.md?p=7) is located; or
  - (2) in any [State](/usc/47/522.md?p=18) court of general jurisdiction having jurisdiction over the parties.
- (b) **Available relief—** The court may award any appropriate relief consistent with the provisions of the relevant section described in [subsection (a)](#a) and with the provisions of [subsection (a)](#a).
- (c) **Review of constitutionality of sections 534 and 535—**
  - (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any civil action challenging the constitutionality of section [534](/usc/47/534.md) or [535](/usc/47/535.md) of this title or any provision thereof shall be heard by a district court of three judges convened pursuant to the provisions of [section 2284 of title 28](/usc/28/2284.md).
  - (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order of the court of three judges in an action under [paragraph (1)](#c-1) holding section [534](/usc/47/534.md) or [535](/usc/47/535.md) of this title or any provision thereof unconstitutional shall be reviewable as a matter of right by direct appeal to the Supreme Court. Any such appeal shall be filed not more than 20 days after entry of such judgment, decree, or order.

## Source credit

(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title VI, § 635, as added Pub. L. 98–549, § 2, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2800; amended Pub. L. 102–385, §§ 7(a)(2), 23, 24(b), Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1483, 1500, 1501.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1992—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 102–385, § 7(a)(2), inserted “541(a)(1),” after “section”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–385, § 24(b), inserted “and with the provisions of subsection (a)” after “subsection (a)”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–385, § 23, added subsec. (c).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–385 effective 60 days after Oct. 5, 1992, see section 28 of Pub. L. 102–385, set out as a note under section 325 of this title.

### Effective Date

Section effective 60 days after Oct. 30, 1984, except where otherwise expressly provided, see section 9(a) of Pub. L. 98–549, set out as a note under section 521 of this title.