A House subcommittee Wednesday passed a national video franchise bill in a bipartisan vote and also rejected efforts by a Democratic minority to include buildout requirements in the measure.

The bill is now expected to go before the House Energy and Commerce Committee the week of April 24.

The House Energy and Commerce Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee approved Texas Republican Rep. Joe Barton’s proposal by a 27-4 vote, after rejecting an amendment that would have required video franchisees to reach an additional 20% of homes within the franchise territory after a five-year period. That amendment was introduced by Democratic Congressmen John Dingell of Michigan and Edward Markey of Massachusetts, both of whom later voted against the bill.

In other video franchise news, two California legislators said they will introduce video franchise legislation for that state today, with the backing of both minority and union groups. Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Member Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys), who chairs the Utilities and Commerce Committee, said they will introduce the “The Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act of 2006” today in a press conference held in a room designed to look like a living room from the 1970s, to symbolize how long it’s been since franchise laws were updated.

In addition to voting down buildout requirements, the House Subcommittee also rejected Markey’s proposal for more restrictive language on net neutrality that would have required telcos and cable companies to provide access to their broadband networks “in a non-discriminatory manner” to others, at the same speed as their own services operate. That amendment was defeated by a 23-8 vote, leading to promises from Democrats to carry the net neutrality debate onto the floor of the House.

The bill will include language guaranteeing cable companies that voice calls initiated on their networks will be delivered over phone company networks.