Cable service; establishes franchising procedures. (SB707)

Introduced By

Sen. Walter Stosch (R-Glen Allen)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

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. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/20/2006Presented and ordered printed 067031824
01/20/2006Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
01/29/2006Fiscal impact statement from SCC (SB707)
01/30/2006Incorporated by Commerce and Labor (SB706-Stolle) (15-Y 0-N)

Duplicate Bills

The following bills are identical to this one: HB881.