Amendment SSA1-AB207

AB207-SSA1,28,20 2. If a large telecommunications video service franchisee pays the sum to the commission under subd. 1., the commission shall use that sum to make grants to persons to assist in the deployment of broadband service to underserved areas in this state. The commission shall promulgate rules establishing requirements and procedures for making the grants.

AB207-SSA1,29,2 (10) Enforcement. (a) The commission may investigate possible violations of this section, except sub. (9) (c) or (d), by video service franchisees. If the commission determines that there is a reason to believe that a video service franchisee has violated or is about to violate this section, except sub. (9) (c) or (d), the commission may bring an action against the video service franchisee to obtain, except as provided in sub. (5) (h), injunctive relief and civil penalties for any act, policy, or practice by the video service franchisee that violates this section, except sub. (9) (c) or (d).

AB207-SSA1,29,5 (b) The commission may suspend or revoke a video service franchisee's video service franchise if the video service franchisee fails to comply with this section or s. 100.209 after a reasonable time to achieve compliance has passed.

AB207-SSA1,29,6 (11) Forfeitures. (a) Subject to par. (b):

AB207-SSA1,29,16 1. A video service franchisee that violates this section shall forfeit no more than $30,000 for each violation, or .00825 percent of the video service franchisee's statewide gross revenue, as calculated under sub. (7) (a), whichever is greater. Each violation of this section is a separate violation, except that if the same act or omission violates more than one provision of this section, only one forfeiture may be imposed for such act or omission. Each day that a violation continues is a separate violation, except that, if the violation was not intentional, did not create substantial risk to the safety of the video service franchisee's employees or customers or the public, and was not intended to cause economic benefits to accrue to the video service franchisee, the forfeiture for a continuing violation may not exceed $500,000 per year.

AB207-SSA1,29,21 2. A video service franchisee that violates sub. (9) shall, in addition to the forfeiture under subd. 1., forfeit an amount not exceeding 3 percent of the video service franchisee's total monthly statewide gross revenue, as calculated under sub. (7) (a), for each month from the date of the violation until the date that compliance is achieved.

AB207-SSA1,29,25 (b) A court may impose a forfeiture under par. (a) only if the commission of justice has given the video service franchisee notice of the violation and the opportunity to remedy the violation within 30 days after receipt of the notice and the video service franchisee has failed to remedy the violation.

AB207-SSA1, s. 11 Section 11. 66.0421 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,30,2 66.0421 (title) Access to cable video service.

AB207-SSA1, s. 12 Section 12. 66.0421 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB207-SSA1, s. 13 Section 13. 66.0421 (1) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

AB207-SSA1, s. 14 Section 14. 66.0421 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB207-SSA1,30,6 66.0421 (1) (c) "Video service" has the meaning given in s. 66.0420 (2) (v).

AB207-SSA1, s. 15 Section 15. 66.0421 (1) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB207-SSA1,30,10 66.0421 (1) (d) "Video service provider" means a municipally regulated cable operator, as defined in s. 66.0420 (2) (o), or a video service franchisee, as defined in s. 66.0420 (2) (y).

AB207-SSA1, s. 16 Section 16. 66.0421 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,30,19 66.0421 (2) Interference prohibited. The owner or manager of a multiunit dwelling under common ownership, control or management or of a mobile home park or the association or board of directors of a condominium may not prevent a cable operator video service provider from providing cable video service to a subscriber who is a resident of the multiunit dwelling, mobile home park or of the condominium or interfere with a cable operator video service provider providing cable video service to a subscriber who is a resident of the multiunit dwelling, mobile home park or of the condominium.

AB207-SSA1, s. 17 Section 17. 66.0421 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,31,5 66.0421 (3) Installation in multiunit building. Before installation, a cable operator video service provider shall consult with the owner or manager of a multiunit dwelling or with the association or board of directors of a condominium to establish the points of attachment to the building and the methods of wiring. A cable operator video service provider shall install facilities to provide cable video service in a safe and orderly manner and in a manner designed to minimize adverse effects to the aesthetics of the multiunit dwelling or condominium. Facilities installed to provide cable video service may not impair public safety, damage fire protection systems or impair fire-resistive construction or components of a multiunit dwelling or condominium.

AB207-SSA1, s. 18 Section 18. 66.0421 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,31,9 66.0421 (4) Repair responsibility. A cable operator video service provider is responsible for any repairs to a building required because of the construction, installation, disconnection or servicing of facilities to provide cable video service.

AB207-SSA1, s. 19 Section 19. 66.0422 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,31,12 66.0422 (title) Cable television Video service, telecommunications, and broadband facilities.

AB207-SSA1, s. 20 Section 20. 66.0422 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB207-SSA1, s. 21 Section 21. 66.0422 (1) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB207-SSA1,31,15 66.0422 (1) (d) "Video service" has the meaning given in s. 66.0420 (2) (v).

AB207-SSA1, s. 22 Section 22. 66.0422 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,31,21 66.0422 (2) (intro.) Except as provided in subs. (3), (3d), (3m), and (3n), no local government may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution authorizing the local government to construct, own, or operate any facility for providing cable video service, telecommunications service, or broadband service, directly or indirectly, to the public, unless all of the following are satisfied:

AB207-SSA1, s. 23 Section 23. 66.0422 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,32,4 66.0422 (3) (b) A majority of the governing board of the local government votes to submit the question of supporting the operation of the facility for providing cable video service, telecommunications service, or Internet access service, directly or indirectly to the public, by the local government to the electors in an advisory referendum and a majority of the voters in the local government voting at the advisory referendum vote to support operation of such a facility by the local government.

AB207-SSA1, s. 24 Section 24. 66.0422 (3n) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,32,7 66.0422 (3n) Subsection (2) does not apply to a local government that, on March 1, 2004, was providing cable video service to the public.

AB207-SSA1, s. 25 Section 25. 70.111 (25) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,32,11 70.111 (25) Digital broadcasting equipment. Digital broadcasting equipment owned and used by a radio station, television station, or cable television system video service network, as defined in s. 66.0419 (2) (d) 66.0420 (2) (z).

AB207-SSA1, s. 26 Section 26. 76.80 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,32,17 76.80 (3) "Telecommunications services" means the transmission of voice, video, facsimile or data messages, including telegraph messages, except that "telecommunications services" does not include cable television video service, as defined in s. 66.0420 (2) (v), radio, one-way radio paging or transmitting messages incidental to transient occupancy in hotels, as defined in s. 254.61 (3).

AB207-SSA1, s. 27 Section 27. 77.52 (2) (a) 12. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,32,20 77.52 (2) (a) 12. The sale of cable television system services, or video services, as defined in s. 66.0420 (2) (v), including installation charges.

AB207-SSA1, s. 28 Section 28. 100.195 (1) (c) 2. of the statutes, as created by 2005 Wisconsin Act 458, is amended to read:

AB207-SSA1,32,23 100.195 (1) (c) 2. Telecommunications services or cable television services.

AB207-SSA1, s. 29 Section 29. 100.195 (1) (h) 1. of the statutes, as created by 2005 Wisconsin Act 458, is repealed and recreated to read:

AB207-SSA1,33,1 100.195 (1) (h) 1. Video service, as defined in s. 66.0420 (2) (v).

AB207-SSA1, s. 30 Section 30. 100.209 of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:

AB207-SSA1,33,4 100.209 Video service standards; privacy protection. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB207-SSA1,33,5 (a) "Basic video service" has the meaning given in s. 66.0420 (2) (b).

AB207-SSA1,33,7 (b) "Cable or video provider" means a municipally regulated cable operator or a video service franchisee.

AB207-SSA1,33,8 (c) "Municipality" means a city, village, or town.

AB207-SSA1,33,10 (d) "Municipally regulated cable operator" has the meaning given in s. 66.0420 (2) (o).

AB207-SSA1,33,12 (e) "Normal business hours" means, with respect to a business, those hours during which most similar businesses in a municipality are open to serve customers.

AB207-SSA1,33,19 (f) "Normal operating conditions" means, with respect to a video provider, those service conditions that are within the control of the video programming provider. "Normal operating conditions" includes special promotions; pay-per-view events; regular, peak, or seasonal demand periods; and maintenance or upgrade of a service network. "Normal operating conditions" does not include natural disasters, civil disturbances, power outages, telephone network outages, or severe or unusual weather conditions.

AB207-SSA1,33,21 (g) "Service interruption" means the loss of picture or sound on one or more video channels.

AB207-SSA1,33,24 (h) "Service line drop" means the point of connection between a premises and the facilities of a cable or video provider that enables the premises to receive video service.

AB207-SSA1,34,4 (i) "Video programming provider" means a multichannel video programming distributor, as defined in 47 USC 522 (13), but does not include a landlord whose provision of video service is limited to providing video service to a single-family home or other residential dwelling consisting of 4 units or less.

AB207-SSA1,34,6 (j) "Video service" means multiple channels of video programming, as defined in 47 USC 522 (20).

AB207-SSA1,34,7 (k) "Video service area" has the meaning given in s. 66.0420 (2) (w).

AB207-SSA1,34,8 (L) "Video service franchisee" has the meaning given in s. 66.0420 (2) (y).

AB207-SSA1,34,9 (m) "Video service network" has the meaning given in s. 66.0420 (2) (z).

AB207-SSA1,34,13 (2) Applicability. Notwithstanding sub. (1) (b), a video programming provider that provides video service through a master antenna television, satellite master antenna television, direct broadcast satellite, or multipoint distribution service is subject to this section only to the extent permitted by federal law.

AB207-SSA1,34,16 (3) General customer service standards. (a) In general. Video programming providers shall establish general standards related to customer service, including relating to all of the following:

AB207-SSA1,34,17 1. Installation, disconnection, service, and repair obligations.

AB207-SSA1,34,18 2. Appointment hours and employee identification requirements.

AB207-SSA1,34,19 3. Customer service telephone numbers and hours.

AB207-SSA1,34,20 4. Procedures for billing, charges, deposits, refunds, and credits.

AB207-SSA1,34,21 5. Procedures for termination of service.

AB207-SSA1,34,22 6. Notice of deletion of programming service.

AB207-SSA1,34,23 7. Changes related to transmission of programming.

AB207-SSA1,34,24 8. Changes or increases in rates.

AB207-SSA1,34,25 9. The use and availability of parental control or lock-out devices.

AB207-SSA1,35,1 10. If applicable, the use and availability of an A/B switch.

AB207-SSA1,35,2 11. Complaint and bill dispute resolution procedures.

AB207-SSA1,35,4 12. Rights and remedies available to consumers if the video programming provider does not materially meet their customer service standards.

AB207-SSA1,35,5 13. Special services for customers with visual, hearing, or mobility disabilities.

AB207-SSA1,35,13 (b) Public availability. A video programming provider shall make available to the public, and display clearly and conspicuously on its Internet Web site, the video programming providers' rates for each level of service, rules, and regulations, and the standards established under par. (a). If a promotional price or a price for a specified period of time is offered, the programming video provider shall clearly and conspicuously display the promotional price or price for the specified period of time together with the price that applies at the end of the promotional period or specified period of time.

AB207-SSA1,35,17 (c) Notice. A video programming provider shall provide notice concerning its general customer service standards to all customers. The notice shall be offered when service is first activated and annually thereafter. The information in the notice shall include all of the standards established under par. (a) and all of the following:

AB207-SSA1,35,19 1. A listing of services offered by the video programming provider, which clearly describes programming for all services and all levels of service.

AB207-SSA1,35,20 2. The rates for all services and levels of service.

AB207-SSA1,35,22 3. Telephone numbers through which customers may subscribe to, change, or terminate service, request customer service, or seek general or billing information.

AB207-SSA1,35,23 4. Instructions on the use of the video services.

AB207-SSA1,36,3 5. A description of rights and remedies that the video programming provider shall make available to their customers if the video programming provider does not materially meet the general customer service standards described in this paragraph.

AB207-SSA1,36,7 (4) General customer service obligations. (a) A video programming provider shall render reasonably efficient service, promptly make repairs, and interrupt service only as necessary and for good cause, during periods of minimum use of the system and for no more than 24 hours.

AB207-SSA1,36,13 (b) All service representatives or any other person who contacts customers or potential customers on behalf of a video programming provider shall have a visible identification card with their name and photograph and shall orally identify themselves upon first contact with a customer. Customer service representatives shall orally identify themselves to callers immediately following the greeting during each telephone contact with the public.

AB207-SSA1,36,14 (c) A video programming provider shall do one of the following:

AB207-SSA1,36,20 1. Maintain a customer service facility that is located within a municipality in which the video programming provider provides video service and that is staffed by customer service representatives that have the capacity to accept payment; adjust bills; respond to repair, installation, reconnection, disconnection, or other service calls; and distribute or receive converter boxes, remote control units, digital stereo units, or other equipment related to the provision of video service.

AB207-SSA1,36,22 2. Provide customers with bill payment facilities through retail, financial, or other commercial institutions located within the boundaries of a municipality.

AB207-SSA1,37,2 3. Provide an address, toll-free telephone number, or electronic address to accept bill payments and correspondence, and provide secure collection boxes that receive bill payments and returned equipment and that provide a printed receipt when items are deposited.

AB207-SSA1,37,5 4. Provide an address, toll-free telephone number, or electronic address to accept bill payments and correspondence, and provide a method for customers to return equipment to the video programming provider at no cost to the customer.

AB207-SSA1,37,16 (5) Customer contacts. In each contact with a customer, the service representatives of a video programming provider, or any other person who contacts customers or potential customers on behalf of the video programming provider, shall state the estimated cost of the service, repair, or installation orally prior to delivery of the service or before any work is performed, and shall provide the customer with an oral statement of the total charges before terminating the telephone call or other contact in which a service is ordered, whether in person or over the Internet, and shall provide a written statement of the total charges before leaving the location at which the work was performed. If the cost of service is a promotional price or is for a limited period of time, the cost of service at the end of the promotion or limited period of time shall be disclosed.

AB207-SSA1,37,24 (6) Notices. A video programming provider shall provide customers a minimum of 30 days' written notice before increasing rates or eliminating transmission of programming and shall submit the notice to the municipality in advance of distribution to customers, except that if the elimination of transmission of programming is outside the control of the video programming provider, the video programming provider shall use reasonable efforts to provide as much notice as possible and any rate decrease related to the elimination of transmission of programming shall be applied as of the date of the elimination.

AB207-SSA1,38,5 (7) Reception. A video programming provider shall provide clear visual and audio reception that meets or exceeds applicable federal communications commission technical standards. If a customer experiences poor video or audio reception due to the equipment of the video programming provider, the video programming provider shall promptly repair the problem at its own expense.