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2006 SESSION

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SB 707 Cable service; establishes franchising procedures.

Introduced by: Walter A. Stosch | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Cable service; franchises; competition.  Establishes franchising procedures that authorize eligible video providers, which include certificated providers of telecommunications services with previous consent to use the public rights-of-way, to provide cable service and other video service. Upon compliance with the requirements established by this measure, (i) the previous consent granted to an eligible video provider to use the public rights-of-way for telecommunications services is deemed a franchise authorizing it to use the rights-of-way to provide cable service and (ii) eligible video providers are granted a 15-year franchise. However, in order to hold the franchise, an eligible video provider shall file a certification at least 30 days prior to offering cable service in which it undertakes to comply with specific requirements. After the certificate is filed, the locality has 120 days to pass any required ordinances to regulate the provision of cable service. Localities may grant cable operators that obtained franchises prior to the enactment of this measure consent to obtain a franchise under the provisions applicable to eligible video providers after considering certain criteria. The grant of a franchise or the renewal of a franchise does not obligate an eligible video provider to provide cable service throughout the locality or in any specific territory within the locality.


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