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S.B. 209

This document includes Senate 3rd Reading Floor Amendments incorporated into the bill on Fri, Feb 23, 2007 at 9:12 AM by rday. -->              1     

STATE FRANCHISING AUTHORITY FOR

             2     
VIDEO SERVICES

             3     
2007 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble

             6     
House Sponsor: Michael E. Noel

             7     

             8      LONG TITLE
             9      General Description:
             10          This bill creates a mechanism for the granting of a cable or video franchise by the
             11      Department of Commerce.
             12      Highlighted Provisions:
             13          This bill:
             14          .    defines terms;
             15          .    allows the Department of Commerce to grant a franchise for cable or video service;
             16          .    addresses who may be granted a franchise by the department;
             17          .    requires a state franchisee to provide public, education, and government access;    
             18          .    addresses advertising by competitive cable or video service providers;
             19          .    prohibits discrimination by state franchisees based on income;
             20          .    addresses the powers of and limitations on local governments with respect to state
             21      franchisees;
             22          .    provides for enforcement; and
             23          .     addresses other related laws.
             24      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             25          None
             26      Other Special Clauses:
             27          This bill provides a severability clause.



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             28
     Utah Code Sections Affected:
             29      AMENDS:
             30          10-8-14, as last amended by Chapter 83, Laws of Utah 2001
             31          17-50-306, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 133, Laws of Utah 2000
             32      ENACTS:
             33          13-46-101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             34          13-46-102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             35          13-46-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             36          13-46-202, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             37          13-46-203, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             38          13-46-204, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             39          13-46-301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             40          13-46-302, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             41          13-46-303, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             42     

             43      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             44          Section 1. Section 10-8-14 is amended to read:
             45           10-8-14. Water, sewer, gas, electricity, and public transportation -- Service
             46      beyond city limits -- Retainage -- Cable television and public telecommunications
             47      services.
             48          (1) A city may:
             49          (a) construct, maintain, and operate waterworks, sewer collection, sewer treatment
             50      systems, gas works, electric light works, telecommunications lines, cable television lines, or
             51      public transportation systems;
             52          (b) authorize the construction, maintenance and operation of the works or systems
             53      listed in Subsection (1)(a) by others;
             54          (c) purchase or lease the works or systems listed in Subsection (1)(a) from any person
             55      or corporation; and
             56          (d) sell and deliver the surplus product or service capacity of any works or system
             57      listed in Subsection (1)(a), not required by the city or the city's inhabitants, to others beyond the
             58      limits of the city, except the sale and delivery of cable television services or public



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             59
     telecommunications services is governed by Subsection (3).
             60          (2) If any payment on a contract with a private person, firm, or corporation to construct
             61      waterworks, sewer collection, sewer treatment systems, gas works, electric light works,
             62      telecommunications lines, cable television lines, or public transportation systems is retained or
             63      withheld, it shall be retained or withheld and released as provided in Section 13-8-5 .
             64          (3) A city's actions under this section related to works or systems involving public
             65      telecommunications services or cable television services are subject to the requirements of
             66      Chapter 18, Municipal Cable Television and Public Telecommunications Services Act.
             67          (4) A city may not issue a franchise for the provision of cable service or video service,
             68      or regulate the provision of cable service or video service, except to the extent allowed by Title
             69      13, Chapter 46, State Video Franchise Act.
             70          Section 2. Section 13-46-101 is enacted to read:
             71     
CHAPTER 46. STATE VIDEO FRANCHISE ACT

             72     
Part 1. General Provisions

             73          13-46-101. Title.
             74          This chapter is known as the "State Video Franchise Act."
             75          Section 3. Section 13-46-102 is enacted to read:
             76          13-46-102. Definitions.
             77          As used in this chapter:
             78          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), "cable operator" is as defined in 47
             79      U.S.C. Sec. 522.
             80          (b) "Cable operator" does not include a competitive video service provider.
             81          (2) "Cable service" is as defined in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 522.
             82          (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), "cable system" is as defined in 47
             83      U.S.C. Sec. 522.
             84          (b) "Cable system" does not include the facilities of a competitive video service
             85      provider.
             86          (4) "Competitive cable service provider" means a person authorized by this chapter to
             87      provide cable service over a cable system, other than the incumbent cable operator providing
             88      service in the area served.
             89          (5) (a) "Competitive video service provider" means a person authorized by this chapter



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             90
     to provide video service.
             91          (b) "Competitive video service provider" does not include a cable operator.
             92          (6) "Department" means the Department of Commerce created in Section 13-1-2 .
             93          (7) "Franchise" means an initial authorization or renewal of an authorization that
             94      allows the construction and operation of a cable system or a video service provider's system in
             95      a public right-of-way, whether the authorization is termed a franchise, license, permit, or
             96      otherwise.
             97          (8) (a) "Gross revenues" means all consideration of any kind or nature, including cash,
             98      credits, property, and in-kind contributions received by a cable service provider or video
             99      service provider from subscribers for the provision of cable service or video service within a
             100      local government's jurisdiction.
             101          (b) "Gross revenues" shall be computed in accordance with generally accepted
             102      accounting principles and includes:
             103          (i) recurring charges for cable service or video service;
             104          (ii) event-based charges for cable service or video service, including charges for:
             105          (A) pay-per-view; and
             106          (B) video-on-demand;
             107          (iii) rental of set top boxes and other cable service or video service equipment;
             108          (iv) service charges related to the provision of cable service or video service, including
             109      charges for:
             110          (A) activation;
             111          (B) installation; and
             112          (C) repair; and
             113          (v) administrative charges related to the provision of cable service or video service,
             114      including charges for:
             115          (A) service order; and
             116          (B) service termination.
             117          (c) "Gross revenues" does not include:
             118          (i) revenues not actually received, even if billed, such as bad debts;
             119          (ii) revenues received by an affiliate or other person in exchange for supplying goods
             120      or services used by the cable service provider or video service provider to provide cable service



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             121
     or video service;
             122          (iii) refunds, rebates, or discounts made to a subscriber, leased access provider,
             123      advertiser, or any local government;
             124          (iv) revenues from services not classified as cable service or video service, including
             125      revenue received:
             126          (A) from telecommunications services;
             127          (B) from information services;
             128          (C) in connection with advertising;
             129          (D) from home shopping services; or
             130          (E) for services not attributable to the cable service or video service in accordance with
             131      any applicable law, regulation, or rule;
             132          (v) revenue paid by subscribers to home shopping programmers directly from the sale
             133      of merchandise through any home shopping channel offered as part of the cable service or
             134      video service;
             135          (vi) the sale of cable service or video service for resale in which the purchaser is
             136      required to collect the fee authorized by Section 13-46-301 ;
             137          (vii) any tax or fee of general applicability imposed on the cable service or video
             138      service provider or its subscriber by a local government, the state, or the federal government
             139      that is required to be collected by the cable service or video service provider and remitted to the
             140      taxing entity, including:
             141          (A) sales or use tax;
             142          (B) gross receipts tax;
             143          (C) excise tax;
             144          (D) utility users tax;
             145          (E) any fee charged under Section 13-46-301 ; and
             146          (F) any other similar tax or fee;
             147          (viii) the provision of cable service or video service to public institutions, public
             148      schools, or governmental entities at no charge;
             149          (ix) any foregone revenue from the provision of free or reduced-cost cable service or
             150      video service to any person;
             151          (x) sales of capital assets;



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             152
         (xi) sales of surplus equipment;
             153          (xii) reimbursement by programmers of marketing costs incurred by the cable service
             154      provider or video service provider for the introduction or promotion of new programming;
             155          (xiii) directory or Internet advertising revenue, including yellow page, white page, and
             156      banner advertising and electronic publishing; and
             157          (xiv) copyright fees paid to the United States Copyright Office.
             158          (9) "Incumbent cable operator" means the cable operator serving the largest number of
             159      cable television subscribers within the jurisdiction of a local government on January 1, 2007.
             160          (10) "Local government" means any:
             161          (a) county;
             162          (b) city or town, as defined in Section 10-1-104 ; or
             163          (c) political subdivision of the state.
             164          (11) "PEG" means public, education, and government noncommercial programming
             165      provided by a local government for transmission by a cable or video service provider.
             166          (12) "Public right-of-way" means the area on, below, or above a public roadway,
             167      highway, street, sidewalk, alley, or waterway, or a utility easement dedicated for compatible
             168      uses.
             169          (13) "Video programming" is as defined in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 522.
             170          (14) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (14)(b), "video service" means video
             171      programming service provided through wireline facilities located at least in part in a public
             172      right-of-way regardless of delivery technology, including internet protocol technology.
             173          (b) "Video service" does not include:
             174          (i) video programming provided by a commercial mobile service provider as defined in
             175      47 U.S.C. Sec. 332;
             176          (ii) video programming provided as part of, and through, a service that enables users to
             177      access content, information, electronic mail, or any other service offered over the public
             178      Internet; and
             179          (iii) cable service provided by a competitive cable service provider.
             180          Section 4. Section 13-46-201 is enacted to read:
             181     
Part 2. State Video Franchise

             182          13-46-201. State video franchise.



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             183
         (1) A competitive cable service provider or competitive video service provider seeking
             184      to provide cable service or video service shall file an application for a franchise with the
             185      department in the manner provided by this section.
             186          (2) An application for a franchise for a competitive cable service provider or
             187      competitive video service provider consists of an affidavit submitted by the competitive cable
             188      service provider or competitive video service provider, signed by an officer or general partner,
             189      containing the following:
             190          (a) an affirmation that the applicant will comply with all applicable federal and state
             191      laws, regulations, and rules;
             192          (b) a written description of the area to be served by the applicant; and
             193          (c) identification of the location of the principal place of business and the names of the
             194      applicant's executive officers.
             195          (3) The written description of the area to be served under Subsection (2)(b):
             196          (a) shall identify each local government with jurisdiction over any portion of the area
             197      to be served; and
             198          (b) may include, as a supplement, a map or other graphic representation of the area to
             199      be served.
             200          (4) The department shall grant a franchise to a competitive cable service provider or a
             201      competitive video service provider to provide cable service or video service no later than 30
             202      days after the day on which the department receives a completed application submitted by the
             203      competitive cable service provider or competitive video service provider.
             204          (5) The holder of a franchise granted under this chapter may amend the franchise to
             205      include an additional area to be served by filing a notice with the department and with any
             206      affected local government at least ten days before offering service in the additional area.
             207          (6) A franchise under this chapter may be granted for an area including all or part of
             208      any area within the jurisdiction of a local government.
             209          (7) (a) A franchise granted under this chapter constitutes a franchise for purposes of 47
             210      U.S.C. Sec. 541.
             211          (b) To the extent required for purposes of 47 U.S.C. Secs. 521 through 561, Utah is the
             212      exclusive franchising authority for a competitive cable service provider or a competitive video
             213      service provider.



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             214
         (8) (a) A cable operator with a franchise agreement with a local government as of April
             215      30, 2007 may be granted a franchise under this chapter only upon the expiration of the existing
             216      franchise with a local government.
             217          (b) A cable operator subject to Subsection (8)(a) may apply for a franchise under this
             218      chapter in the same manner as a competitive cable service provider or a competitive video
             219      service provider.
             220          Section 5. Section 13-46-202 is enacted to read:
             221          13-46-202. Public, education, and government programming -- Interconnection.
             222          (1) Within 180 days after the day on which any request is received from a local
             223      government with jurisdiction over an area served by a competitive cable service provider or a
             224      competitive video service provider, the competitive cable service provider or a competitive
             225      video service provider shall designate capacity on its system or network to allow the provision
             226      of a comparable number of channels or capacity of PEG access as that offered by the
             227      incumbent cable operator.
             228          (2) A competitive cable service provider or a competitive video service provider is not
             229      responsible for originating any content to be provided using PEG access.
             230          (3) No cable operator or video service provider, including an incumbent cable operator,
             231      may place a logo, advertisement, promotion, or any other marketing material that would have
             232      the effect of favoring the cable operator or video service provider over any other on any
             233      channel space designated for PEG access under Subsection (1).
             234          (4) A local government providing content to a competitive cable service provider or a
             235      competitive video service provider for transmission on channels designated for PEG access
             236      shall submit the content in a manner and format that is capable of being accepted and
             237      transmitted by the competitive cable service provider or a competitive video service provider
             238      without additional alteration or change in the content.
             239          (5) (a) To the extent technically feasible, a competitive cable service provider or a
             240      competitive video service provider and an incumbent cable operator shall use reasonable
             241      efforts to interconnect their cable or video systems to provide PEG access.
             242          (b) Interconnection under Subsection (5)(a) may be accomplished by:
             243          (i) direct cable;
             244          (ii) microwave link;



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Senate 3rd Reading Amendments 2-23-2007 rd/crp
             245
         (iii) satellite; or
             246          (iv) other reasonable method of interconnection.
             247          (c) A competitive cable service provider or a competitive video service provider and an
             248      incumbent cable operator shall negotiate for interconnection agreements in good faith and may
             249      not unreasonably withhold interconnection of PEG channels under Subsection (5)(a).
             250          Section 6. Section 13-46-203 is enacted to read:
             251          13-46-203. Advertising by competitive cable or video service provider.
             252          (1) An incumbent cable operator may not refuse to carry advertising requested by a
             253      competitive cable service provider or a competitive video service provider on local advertising
             254      space owned and controlled by the incumbent cable operator.
             255           S. [ (2) An incumbent cable operator shall make 10% of all local advertising space owned
             256      and controlled by the incumbent cable operator available to competitive cable service providers
             257      or competitive video service providers.
] .S

             258          Section 7. Section 13-46-204 is enacted to read:
             259          13-46-204. Discrimination prohibited -- Service in low-income areas.
             260          A cable service provider or video service provider operating under a franchise granted
             261      under this chapter may not deny access to service to any group of potential residential
             262      subscribers because of the income of the residents in the local area in which the group resides.
             263          Section 8. Section 13-46-301 is enacted to read:
             264     
Part 3. Miscellaneous Provisions

             265          13-46-301. Fee.
             266          (1) A competitive cable service provider or a competitive video service provider
             267      operating under a franchise granted in accordance with this chapter shall notify each local
             268      government with jurisdiction over an area served by the competitive cable service provider or
             269      competitive video service provider ten days before beginning service in that area.
             270          (2) A local government with jurisdiction over an area served by a competitive cable
             271      service provider or a competitive video service provider operating under a franchise granted in
             272      accordance with this chapter may require the competitive cable service provider or competitive
             273      video service provider to pay a fee to the local government upon the local government's written
             274      request at least 60 days in advance of the fee's due date verifying:
             275          (a) the amount of the fee as a percentage of gross revenues to be paid by the



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             276
     competitive cable service provider or competitive video service provider; and
             277          (b) the amount of the fee as a percentage of gross revenues paid to the local
             278      government by the incumbent cable operator.
             279          (3) A fee required by a local government under Subsection (2) is due on a quarterly
             280      basis, 45 days after the close of each calendar quarter.
             281          (4) The fee allowed by this section shall be calculated as a percentage of the
             282      competitive cable service provider's or competitive video service provider's gross revenues.
             283          (5) The fee allowed by this section may not exceed 5% of the competitive cable service
             284      provider's or competitive video service provider's gross revenues, or a percentage of gross
             285      revenues identical to the percentage of gross revenues paid by an incumbent cable operator,
             286      whichever is less.
             287          (6) (a) At the request of a local government with jurisdiction over an area served by a
             288      competitive cable service provider or a competitive video service provider operating under a
             289      franchise granted in accordance with this chapter, but no more than once per calendar year, the
             290      department may audit the competitive cable service provider's or competitive video service
             291      provider's calculation of the fee imposed by the local government under this section.
             292          (b) Each party involved in an audit under Subsection (6)(a) shall bear its own expenses
             293      associated with the audit.
             294          (7) A competitive cable service provider or a competitive video service provider may
             295      identify and collect the fee imposed by a local government under this section as a separate line
             296      item on each subscriber's regular bill.
             297          Section 9. Section 13-46-302 is enacted to read:
             298          13-46-302. Local government.
             299          (1) A local government may not:
             300          (a) require a competitive cable service provider or a competitive video service provider
             301      to obtain a franchise in addition to the franchise granted in accordance with this chapter;
             302          (b) impose any fee not authorized by this chapter on a competitive cable service
             303      provider or a competitive video service provider;
             304          (c) require a competitive cable service provider or a competitive video service provider
             305      to meet any condition not authorized by this chapter, including:
             306          (i) regulation of rates charged;



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             307
         (ii) build-out requirements;
             308          (iii) deploying any facilities or equipment; and
             309          (iv) requiring the approval of the local government's voters before providing service;
             310          (d) discriminate against the holder of a franchise granted under this chapter, including
             311      in:
             312          (i) authorizing the placement of a communications network in a public right-of-way;
             313          (ii) access to a building; or
             314          (iii) establishing the terms or conditions for a municipal utility pole attachment; or
             315          (e) charge a permit fee:
             316          (i) if the competitive cable service provider or competitive video service provider has
             317      already paid a permit fee of any kind in connection with the same activity for which a new
             318      permit fee is proposed to be charged; or
             319          (ii) for general revenue purposes.
             320          (2) A local government shall allow the holder of a franchise granted under this chapter
             321      to install, construct, and maintain a communications network within any public right-of-way,
             322      including providing open and competitively neutral access to the public right-of-way.
             323          (3) Notwithstanding Subsection (1) and Section 13-46-301 , a local government may
             324      impose:
             325          (a) a fee for any permit required for construction of facilities or a similar permit only to
             326      the extent:
             327          (i) the local government imposes an equivalent permit fee on any incumbent cable
             328      operator; and
             329          (ii) the permit fee is not greater than the actual, direct costs incurred by the local
             330      government for issuing the permit; and
             331          (b) a PEG fee per subscriber no greater than the PEG fee per subscriber charged the
             332      incumbent cable operator.
             333          Section 10. Section 13-46-303 is enacted to read:
             334          13-46-303. Enforcement -- Relationship to other law.
             335          (1) Before any action is brought against a cable service provider or video service
             336      provider under this chapter, the person bringing the action shall provide written notice to the
             337      cable service provider or video service provider of the claimed violation and provide the cable



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             338
     service provider or video service provider a reasonable opportunity to cure the claimed
             339      violation.
             340          (2) Any action brought against a cable service provider or video service provider under
             341      this chapter may be brought in the district court for any county in which any portion of an area
             342      served by the cable service provider or video service provider is located.
             343          (3) (a) An action to enforce this chapter's provisions with respect to a franchise granted
             344      under this chapter may be brought by the department only.
             345          (b) An action by the department under Subsection (3)(a) is instituted by the filing of a
             346      complaint in an appropriate district court under Subsection (2).
             347          (4) A cable service provider or video service provider may enforce its rights under this
             348      chapter with respect to an action by a local government by filing a complaint in the district
             349      court for any county in which the local government is located.
             350          (5) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a competitive cable service provider
             351      or a competitive video service provider has the same rights under state law as an incumbent
             352      cable operator or other provider of video programming.
             353          (6) This chapter is intended to be consistent with the Federal Cable Act, 47 U.S.C. Sec.
             354      521 et seq.
             355          (7) Nothing in this chapter may be interpreted to prevent a competitive cable service
             356      provider, a competitive video service provider, a cable operator, or a local government from:
             357          (a) seeking clarification of its rights and obligations under federal law; or
             358          (b) exercising any right or authority under federal or state law.
             359          Section 11. Section 17-50-306 is amended to read:
             360           17-50-306. Granting franchises over public roads -- Limitation.
             361          (1) A county may grant franchises along and over the public roads and highways for all
             362      lawful purposes, upon such terms, conditions, and restrictions as in the judgment of the county
             363      legislative body are necessary and proper, to be exercised in such manner as to present the least
             364      possible obstruction and inconvenience to the traveling public.
             365          (2) A franchise under Subsection (1) may not be granted for a period longer than 50
             366      years.
             367          (3) A county may not issue a franchise for the provision of cable service or video
             368      service or regulate the provision of cable service or video service except to the extent allowed



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             369
     by Title 13, Chapter 46, State Video Franchise Act.
             370          Section 12. Severability clause.
             371          If any provision of this bill, or the application of any provision to any person or
             372      circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of this bill shall be given effect without the invalid
             373      provision or application.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-12-07 8:48 AM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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