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2016 SESSION

• | print version

HB 1325 BVU Authority; Board powers and duties, broadband, repeals certain provision.

Introduced by: Israel D. O'Quinn | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE: (all summaries)

BVU Authority; Board powers, officers; broadband; FOIA. Alters the powers and duties of the Board of Directors (Board) of the BVU Authority (the Authority). The bill changes the operation of the Board by altering certain requirements regarding bylaws, eliminating the Board's authority to appoint an attorney, requiring an annual vote to retain independent legal counsel, and barring Board members from receiving financial compensation for service. The bill alters the authority of the Board president by eliminating his power to enter long-term employment contracts with Authority employees. It also limits the president's term of service to a renewable term of three years and bars any severance agreement for the president amounting to more than one year's base salary. The bill requires that any decision of the Board related to water or sewer systems be made by a majority vote of the three Board members representing the City of Bristol.

The bill clarifies that the Authority is prohibited from making charitable donations, contracting with or becoming a wireless service authority, or contracting with a locality to have it acquire property for the Authority by eminent domain. The bill also eliminates several Authority-related records and open meeting exemptions from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The bill changes the Authority's broadband-related powers, allowing it to offer and operate broadband and cable television service only in specified areas. The Authority's first broadband priority is to be the construction of wired broadband infrastructure in unserved areas, and its power to apply for grants for broadband projects is defined in conjunction with that priority. Any broadband networks the Authority builds are to be operated on an open-access basis.

The bill contains an emergency clause.

FULL TEXT

• 01/21/16  House: Presented and ordered printed with emergency clause 16103095D  pdf | impact statements
• 02/12/16  House: Committee substitute printed 16105254D-H1  pdf | impact statement

HISTORY

• 01/21/16  House: Presented and ordered printed with emergency clause 16103095D
• 01/21/16  House: Referred to Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns
• 01/29/16  House: Assigned CC & T sub: Subcommittee #2
• 02/10/16  House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (7-Y 1-N)
• 02/12/16  House: Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (21-Y 0-N)
• 02/12/16  House: Committee substitute printed 16105254D-H1
• 02/13/16  House: Read first time
• 02/15/16  House: Read second time
• 02/15/16  House: Committee substitute agreed to 16105254D-H1
• 02/15/16  House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB1325H1
• 02/16/16  House: Read third time and passed House BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N)
• 02/16/16  House: VOTE: BLOCK VOTE PASSAGE (99-Y 0-N)
• 02/17/16  Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed
• 02/17/16  Senate: Referred to Committee on Local Government
• 03/01/16  Senate: Incorporated by Local Government (HB1255-Pillion) (12-Y 0-N)