CAL. SENATE OKAYS AMENDED VIDEO FRANCHISING BILL

摘要

The Cal. Senate voted 33-4 to pass an amended version of an Assembly video franchise reform bill transferring video franchising from municipalities to the state PUC. The bill was returned to the Assembly for concurrence with AB-2987's more than 100 Senate committee and floor amendments. The Assembly had until the 2006 session's adjournment deadline of midnight (PT) Thurs. to act. At our deadline, the bill hadn't been set for a concurrence vote, but concurrence was expected. Major Senate amendments included: (1) a municipal-franchise opt-out clause for cable incumbents when a competitor enters their markets. (2) buildout rules for large phone companies that enter video markets, requiring 40% buildout within 5 years of entry. (3) requiring municipalities to rule on right-of-way permits for video entrants within 60 days. (4) authorizing the PUC to impose a regulatory administration fee on state-franchised video providers. (5) authorizing the Div. of Ratepayer Advocacy to represent video consumers. (6) preventing telephone companies from subsidizing video services via basic phone rates by barring basic exchange rate increases through 2008.