SCS/SB 526 - This act modifies provisions relating to communications services offered in political subdivisions. No political subdivision shall require a telecommunications company to obtain a written agreement, other than a permit, for use of the public right-of-way.
Nothing in the provisions of law relating to the public right-of-way shall prohibit a political subdivision or public utility right-of-way user from renewing or entering into a new or existing franchise, upon mutual agreement. Further, nothing in those provisions of law shall prevent a grandfathered political subdivision from charging a public right-of-way user a fair and reasonable liner foot fee or antenna fee pursuant to or from otherwise enforcing existing linear foot ordinances that were in effect on May 1, 2001.
The act repeals a provision stating that nothing shall prevent a grandfathered political subdivision from enacting new ordinances, including amendments of existing ordinances.
No political subdivision shall impose a linear foot fee to be charged to any entity that holds a franchise or video service authorization.
The act modifies the definition of "gross revenues".
Currently, franchise entities may collect a video service provider fee equal to not more than 5% of the gross revenues of a video service provider providing service in the geographic area of such franchise entity. Under the act, a franchise entity may collect a video service provider fee equal to not more than 5% of the first $40 of the gross revenues charged to each customer of a video service provider that is providing video service in the geographic area of such franchise entity.
Finally, the act repeals the sunset date for the Uniform Small Wireless Facility Deployment Act.
This act is similar to HB 2091 (2020), provisions contained in SS#2/SCS/HB 1700 (2020), HB 759 (2019), and SB 273 (2019).
JAMIE ANDREWS