Introduced
by
To authorize an alternative state licensing option for telecommunications companies (such as AT&T) seeking to use telephone lines, electric lines or other means to compete with traditional cable TV providers (such as Comcast). Federal law requires the traditional cable companies to pay local communities a ‘franchise fee’ of up to 5 percent of gross receipts to defray costs imposed by stringing wires, burying cables, etc. Cable franchise agreements vary by community and have been negotiated on a case-by-case basis over many decades. The bill would create a single statewide franchise system, allowing new TV competitors to deal with only one unit of government (the state) rather than hundreds. The maximum fee would be 5 percent of gross receipts, and the money would go to local governments.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Technology
