AB207: Bill Text Engrossed

AB207-engrossed,15,16 2. The department may revoke a video service franchise issued to a video service provider if the department determines that the video service provider has repeatedly failed to substantially meet a material requirement imposed upon it by this section and the department has not otherwise acquiesced in such noncompliance through a waiver. Before commencing a revocation proceeding, the department shall provide the video service provider written notice of the department's intention to revoke the franchise and the department's reasons for the revocation and afford the video service provider a reasonable opportunity to cure any alleged violation. The department must, before revoking any video service franchise, afford a video service provider full due process that, at a minimum, must include a proceeding before a hearing officer during which the video service provider must be afforded the opportunity for full participation, including the right to be represented by counsel, to introduce evidence, to require the production of evidence, and to question or cross-examine witnesses under oath. A transcript shall be made of any such hearing. A video service provider may bring an action to appeal the decision of the department.

AB207-engrossed,16,2 (j) Modifications. If there is any change in the information included in an application filed by a video service provider under this subsection, the video service provider shall notify the department and update the information within 10 business days after the change, except that if the video service provider determines to expand the area or areas of the state in which the video service provider intends to provide video service, the video service provider shall apply to the department for a modified video service franchise under par. (d). A video service provider that makes a notification regarding a change in the information specified in par. (d) 3., 4., or 5., shall include with the notification a fee of $100. No fee is required for a notification regarding a change in the information specified in par. (d) 1.

AB207-engrossed,16,10 (4) Franchising authority. For purposes of 47 USC 521 to 573, the state is the exclusive franchising authority for video service providers in this state. Notwithstanding s. 66.0425 and except as provided in s. 182.017, no municipality may require a video service provider to obtain a franchise to provide video service or impose on a video service provider any fee or requirement relating to the construction of a video service network or the provision of video service, including any requirement to deploy facilities or equipment or any requirement regarding rates for video service, except as specifically authorized under this section.

AB207-engrossed,16,18 (5) PEG channels. (a) Maximum number of PEG channels. 1. If an incumbent cable operator is providing channel capacity for PEG channels to a municipality under a cable franchise in effect immediately before the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date], the municipality shall require each interim cable operator or video service provider that provides video service in the municipality to provide channel capacity for the same number of PEG channels for which channel capacity is provided immediately before the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date].

AB207-engrossed,17,3 2. a. Except as provided in subd. 2. b. and c., if no incumbent cable operator is providing channel capacity for PEG channels to a municipality under a cable franchise that is in effect immediately before the effective date of this subd. 2. a. .... [revisor inserts date], then, if the municipality has a population of 50,000 or more, the municipality may require each interim cable operator and video service provider that provides video service in the municipality to provide channel capacity for up to 3 PEG channels, and, if the municipality has a population of less than 50,000, the municipality may require each interim cable operator and video service provider that provides video service in the municipality to provide channel capacity for no more than 2 PEG channels.

AB207-engrossed,17,9 b. If an interim cable operator or video service provider distributes video programming to more than one municipality through a single headend or video hub office and the aggregate population of the municipalities is 50,000 or more, the municipalities may not require the interim cable operator or video service provider to provide, in the aggregate, channel capacity for more than 3 PEG channels under subd. 2. a.

AB207-engrossed,17,15 c. If an interim cable operator or video service provider distributes video programming to more than one municipality through a single headend or video hub office and the aggregate population of the municipalities is less than 50,000, the municipalities may not require the interim cable operator or video service provider to provide, in the aggregate, channel capacity for more than 2 PEG channels under subd. 2. a.

AB207-engrossed,17,19 3. An interim cable operator or video service provider shall provide any channel capacity for PEG channels required under this paragraph on any service tier that is viewed by more than 50 percent of the interim cable operator's or video service provider's customers.

AB207-engrossed,18,3 4. If a municipality is not required to provide notice to a video service provider under sub. (3) (e) 2., the video service provider's duty to provide any additional channel capacity for PEG channels that is required by the municipality under this paragraph first applies on the date that the video service provider begins to provide service in the municipality, and, if the municipality is required to provide notice under sub. (3) (e) 2., the video service provider's duty to provide any such additional channel capacity first applies on the date that the video service provider begins to provide video service in the municipality or on the 90th day after the video service provider receives the municipality's notice, whichever is later.

AB207-engrossed,18,13 (b) Exceptions. 1. a. Notwithstanding par. (a), an interim cable operator or video service provider may reprogram for any other purpose any channel capacity provided for a PEG channel required by a municipality under par. (a) if the PEG channel is not substantially utilized by the municipality. If the municipality certifies to the interim cable operator or video service provider that reprogrammed channel capacity for a PEG channel will be substantially utilized by the municipality, the interim cable operator or video service provider shall, no later than 120 days after receipt of the certification, restore the channel capacity for the PEG channel. Notwithstanding par. (a) 3., an interim cable operator or video service provider may provide restored channel capacity for a PEG channel on any service tier.

AB207-engrossed,18,17 b. For purposes of this subdivision, a PEG channel is substantially utilized by a municipality if the municipality provides 40 hours or more of programming on the PEG channel each week and at least 60 percent of that programming is locally produced.

AB207-engrossed,18,23 2. Notwithstanding par. (a), if a municipality fails to provide the notice specified in sub. (3) (e) 2. before the deadline specified in sub. (3) (e) 2., no interim cable operator or video service provider is required to provide channel capacity for any PEG channel, or monetary support for access facilities for PEG channels pursuant to sub. (7) (em), until the 90th day after the municipality provides such notice.

AB207-engrossed,19,3 (c) Powers and duties of municipalities. 1. Except as otherwise required under pars. (a) and (d) and sub. (7) (em), a municipality may not require an interim cable operator or video service provider to provide any funds, services, programming, facilities, or equipment related to public, educational, or governmental use of channel capacity.

AB207-engrossed,19,9 2. The operation of any PEG channel for which a municipality requires an interim cable operator or video service provider to provide channel capacity under par. (a), and the production of any programming appearing on such a PEG channel, shall be the sole responsibility of the municipality and, except as provided in par. (d) 1., the interim cable operator or video service provider shall bear only the responsibility to transmit programming appearing on the PEG channel.

AB207-engrossed,19,12 3. A municipality that requires an interim cable operator or video service provider to provide channel capacity for a PEG channel under par. (a) shall do all of the following:

AB207-engrossed,19,20 a. Ensure that all content and programming that the municipality provides or arranges to provide for transmission on the PEG channel is submitted to the interim cable operator or video service provider in a manner and form that is capable of being accepted and transmitted by the interim cable operator or video service provider over its video service network without changing the content or transmission signal and that is compatible with the technology or protocol, including Internet protocol television, utilized by the interim cable operator or video service provider to deliver video service.

AB207-engrossed,19,24 b. Make the content and programming that the municipality provides or arranges to provide for transmission on a PEG channel available in a nondiscriminatory manner to all interim cable operators and video service providers that provide video service in the municipality.

AB207-engrossed,20,20 (d) Duties of interim cable providers and video service providers. 1. If a municipality requires an interim cable operator or video service provider to provide capacity for PEG channels under par. (a), the interim cable operator or video service provider shall be required to provide transmission capacity sufficient to connect the interim cable operator's or video service provider's headend or video hub office to the municipality's PEG access channel origination points existing as of the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date]. A municipality shall permit the interim cable operator or video service provider to determine the most economically and technologically efficient means of providing such transmission capacity. If a municipality requests that such a PEG access channel origination point be relocated, the interim cable operator or video service provider shall be required to provide only the first 200 feet of transmission line that is necessary to connect the interim cable operator or video service provider's headend or video hub office to such origination point. A municipality shall be liable for the costs of construction of such a transmission line beyond the first 200 feet and for any construction costs associated with additional origination points, but not for the costs associated with the transmission of PEG programming over such line. The interim cable operator or video service provider may recover its costs to provide transmission capacity under this subdivision by identifying and collecting a "PEG Transport Fee" as a separate line item on customer bills.

AB207-engrossed,21,5 2. If the interconnection of the video service networks of interim cable operators or video service providers is technically necessary and feasible for the transmission of programming for any PEG channel for which channel capacity is required by a municipality under par. (a), the interim cable operators and video service providers shall negotiate in good faith for interconnection on mutually acceptable rates, terms, and conditions, except that an interim cable operator or video service provider who requests interconnection is responsible for interconnection costs, including the cost of transmitting programming from its origination point to the interconnection point. Interconnection may be accomplished by direct cable, microwave link, satellite, or any other reasonable method.

AB207-engrossed,21,10 (6) Institutional networks. Notwithstanding any franchise, ordinance, or resolution in effect on the effective date of this subsection .... [revisor inserts date], no state agency or municipality may require an interim cable operator or video service provider to provide any institutional network or equivalent capacity on its video service network.

AB207-engrossed,21,25 (7) Video service provider fee. (a) Duty to pay fee. 1. Notwithstanding s. 66.0611 and except as provided in subds. 2. and 2m., a video service provider shall, on a quarterly calendar basis, calculate and pay to each municipality in which the video service provider provides video service a video service provider fee equal to the percentage of the video service provider's gross receipts that is specified in par. (b) and the monetary support for access facilities for PEG channels described in par. (em). A video service provider shall remit the fee to the municipality no later than 45 days after the end of each quarter. Except as provided in subd. 2. or par. (b) 1., if the municipality is not required to provide notice under sub. (3) (e) 2., the duty to remit the fee first applies to the quarter in which the video service provider begins to provide service in the municipality, and, if the municipality is required to provide notice under sub. (3) (e) 2., the duty to remit the fee first applies to the quarter in which the video service provider begins to provide service in the municipality or to the quarter that includes the 45th day after the video service provider receives the municipality's notice, whichever quarter is later.

AB207-engrossed,22,5 2. If a municipality fails to provide the notice specified in sub. (3) (e) 2. before the deadline specified in sub. (3) (e) 2., no video service provider is required to pay a video service provider fee, and no interim cable operator is required to pay a franchise fee, to the municipality until the 45th day after the end of the quarter in which the municipality provides the notice specified in sub. (3) (e) 2.

AB207-engrossed,22,9 2m. If a municipality requires a video service provider to pay a cost-based permit fee under a regulation under s. 182.017 (1r), the video service provider may deduct the amount of the fee from any other compensation that is due to the municipality including the video service provider fee under subd. 1.

AB207-engrossed,22,12 (b) Amount of fee. The percentage applied to a video service provider's gross receipts under par. (a) 1. for each municipality shall be 5 percent or one of the following percentages, whichever is less:

AB207-engrossed,22,19 1. If no incumbent cable operator was required to pay a franchise fee equal to a percentage of gross revenues to the municipality immediately before the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date], the municipality may specify a percentage of no more than 5 percent. The duty of a video service provider to pay the municipality a video service fee equal to such percentage shall first apply to the quarter that includes the 45th day after the municipality provides notice of the percentage to the video service provider.

AB207-engrossed,22,22 2. If an incumbent cable operator was required to pay a franchise fee equal to a percentage of gross revenues to the municipality immediately before the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date], that percentage.

AB207-engrossed,23,2 3. If more than one incumbent cable operator was required to pay a franchise fee equal to a percentage of gross revenues to the municipality immediately before the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date], the lowest such percentage.

AB207-engrossed,23,5 (c) Generally accepted accounting principles. All determinations and computations made under this subsection shall be made pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles.

AB207-engrossed,23,10 (d) Record review. A municipality may, upon reasonable written request but no more than once in any 3-year period, for the purpose of ensuring proper and accurate payment of a video service provider fee, review the business records of a video service provider that is required to pay the municipality a video service provider fee.

AB207-engrossed,23,16 (e) Actions to enforce payment. 1. A municipality or a video service provider may not bring an action concerning the amount of a video service provider fee allegedly due to the municipality unless the parties have first participated in and completed good faith settlement discussions. For purposes of any future litigation, all negotiations pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as compromise negotiations under s. 904.08.

AB207-engrossed,23,22 2. An action regarding a dispute over the amount of a video service provider fee paid or allegedly due under this subsection shall be commenced within 4 years following the end of the calendar quarter to which the disputed amount relates or be barred, unless the parties agree in writing to an extension of time. Notwithstanding ss. 814.01, 814.02, 814.03, and 814.035, no costs may be allowed in the action to either party.

AB207-engrossed,24,4 (em) PEG channel monetary support. 1. This subdivision applies to an incumbent cable operator whose cable franchise is terminated under sub. (3) (b) 2. b. The obligation that is actually imposed by a municipality prior to April 18, 2007, on such an incumbent cable operator to provide monetary support for access facilities for PEG channels and that is contained in a cable franchise existing on the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date], shall continue until the earlier of the following:

AB207-engrossed,24,6 a. The first day of the 36th month beginning after the effective date of this subd. 1. a. .... [revisor inserts date].

AB207-engrossed,24,8 b. The date on which the cable franchise would have expired if the cable franchise had not terminated under sub. (3) (b) 2. b.

AB207-engrossed,24,12 2. The duty of an interim cable operator to provide monetary support for access facilities for PEG channels that is contained in a cable franchise existing on the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date], shall continue until the cable franchise expires.

AB207-engrossed,24,25 3. Each video service provider providing video service in a municipality shall have the same obligation to provide monetary support for access facilities for PEG channels as the incumbent cable operator with the most subscribers in the municipality as of the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date]. To the extent that such incumbent cable operator provides such support in the form of a percentage of gross revenues or a per subscriber fee, any other video service provider shall pay the same percentage of gross revenues or per subscriber fee to the municipality as the incumbent cable operator. To the extent that such incumbent cable operator provides such support in the form of a lump sum payment without an offset to its franchise fee or video service provider fee, any other video service provider that commences service in the municipality shall pay the municipality a sum equal to the pro rata amount of such lump sum payment based on its proportion of video service customers in such municipality.

AB207-engrossed,25,4 4. For purposes of this paragraph, the proportion of video service customers of a video service provider shall be determined based on the relative number of subscribers as of the end of the prior calendar year as reported by all incumbent cable operators and holders of video service authorizations.

AB207-engrossed,25,8 (f) Itemization. A video service provider may identify and collect the amount related to a video service provider fee and any fee imposed for monetary support for access facilities for PEG channels as described in par. (em) as a separate line item on customer bills.

AB207-engrossed,25,14 (g) Invalidity of other fees. If a video service provider pays video service provider fees to a municipality as required under this subsection, the municipality may not require the video service provider to pay any compensation under s. 66.0425, or, except as provided in a regulation under s. 182.017 (1r), any permit fee, encroachment fee, degradation fee, or any other fee, for the occupation of or work within public rights-of-way.

AB207-engrossed,25,16 (8) Discrimination; access to services. (ag) Definition. In this subsection, "department" means the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.

AB207-engrossed,25,20 (am) Discrimination prohibited. 1. No video service provider may deny access to video service to any group of potential residential customers in the video service provider's video franchise area because of the race or income of the residents in the local area in which the group resides.

AB207-engrossed,25,22 2. It is a defense to an alleged violation of subd. 1. based on income if the video service provider has met either of the following conditions:

AB207-engrossed,25,25 a. No later than 3 years after the date on which the video service provider began providing video service under this section, at least 25 percent of households with access to the video service provider's video service are low-income households.

AB207-engrossed,26,3 b. No later than 5 years after the date on which the video service provider began providing video service under this section, at least 30 percent of the households with access to the video service provider's video service are low-income households.

AB207-engrossed,26,6 (b) Access. 1. A large telecommunications video service provider shall provide access to its video service to the following percentages of households within the large telecommunications video service provider's basic local exchange service area:

AB207-engrossed,26,9 a. Not less than 35 percent no later than 3 years after the date on which the large telecommunications video service provider began providing video service under this section.

AB207-engrossed,26,14 b. Not less than 50 percent no later than 5 years after the date on which the large telecommunications video service provider began providing video service under this section, or no later than 2 years after at least 30 percent of households with access to the large telecommunications video service provider's video service subscribe to the service for 6 consecutive months, whichever occurs later.

AB207-engrossed,26,17 2. A large telecommunications video service provider shall file an annual report with the department regarding the large telecommunications video service provider's progress in complying with subd. 1.

AB207-engrossed,26,24 (c) Extensions and waivers. A video service provider may apply to the department for an extension of any time limit specified in par. (am) 2. or (b) or a waiver of a requirement to comply with par. (b). The department shall grant the extension or waiver if the video service provider demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the video service provider has made substantial and continuous efforts to comply with the requirements of this subsection and that the extension or waiver is necessary due to one or more of the following factors:

AB207-engrossed,27,2 1. The video service provider's inability to obtain access to public and private rights-of-way under reasonable terms and conditions.

AB207-engrossed,27,4 2. Developments and buildings that are not subject to competition because of exclusive service arrangements.

AB207-engrossed,27,6 3. Developments and buildings that are not accessible using reasonable technical solutions under commercially reasonable terms and conditions.

AB207-engrossed,27,7 4. Natural disasters.

AB207-engrossed,27,8 5. Other factors beyond the control of the video service provider.

AB207-engrossed,27,11 (d) Alternative technologies. A video service provider may satisfy the requirements of this subsection through the use of an alternative technology, other than satellite service, that does all of the following:

AB207-engrossed,27,14 1. Offers service, functionality, and content demonstrably similar to the service, functionality, and content provided through the video service provider's video service network.

AB207-engrossed,27,16 2. Provides access to PEG channels and messages broadcast over the emergency alert system.

AB207-engrossed,27,22 (e) Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a telecommunications video service provider is not required to provide video service outside the provider's basic local exchange service area, and a video service provider that is an incumbent cable operator is not required to provide video service outside the area in which the incumbent cable operator provided cable service at the time the department issued a video service franchise to the incumbent cable operator.

AB207-engrossed,28,3 (9) Customer service standards. (a) Except as provided in par. (b), upon 90 days' advance notice, a municipality may require a video service provider to comply with the customer service standards specified in 47 CFR 76.309 (c) in its provision of video service. Neither the department nor any municipality shall have the authority to impose additional or different customer service standards that are specific to the provision of video service.

AB207-engrossed,28,10 (b) Except as provided in s. 100.209, no video service provider that provides video service in a municipality may be subject to any customer service standards if there is at least one other person offering cable or video service in the municipality or if the video service provider is subject to effective competition, as determined under 47 CFR 76.905, in the municipality. This paragraph does not apply to any customer service standards promulgated by rule by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.

AB207-engrossed,28,12 (9m) Local broadcast stations. (a) In this subsection, a "noncable video service provider" means a video service provider that is not a cable operator.

AB207-engrossed,28,18 (b) If a local broadcast station is authorized to exercise against a cable operator the right to require mandatory carriage under 47 USC 534, or the right to grant or withhold retransmission consent under 47 USC 325 (b), the local broadcast station may exercise the same right against a noncable video service provider to the same extent as the local broadcast station may exercise such right against a cable operator under federal law.

AB207-engrossed,28,22 (c) A noncable video service provider shall transmit, without degradation, the signals that a local broadcast station delivers to the noncable video service provider, but is not required to utilize the same or similar reception technology as the local broadcast station or the programming providers of the local broadcast station.

AB207-engrossed,28,23 (d) A noncable video service provider may not do any of the following:

AB207-engrossed,29,3 1. Discriminate among or between local broadcast stations, or programming providers of local broadcast stations, with respect to the transmission of their signals.

AB207-engrossed,29,5 2. Delete, change, or alter a copyright identification transmitted as part of a local broadcast station's signal.

AB207-engrossed,29,14 (10) Limitation on rate regulation. The department or a municipality may not regulate the rates charged for any video service by an interim cable operator or video service provider that provides video service in a municipality if at least one other interim cable operator or video service provider is providing video service in the municipality and the other interim cable operator or video service provider is not an affiliate of the interim cable operator or video service provider. This subsection applies regardless of whether any affected interim cable operator or video service provider has sought a determination from the FCC regarding effective competition under 47 CFR 76.905.

AB207-engrossed,29,22 (11) Transfer of video service franchise. A person who is issued a video service franchise may transfer the video service franchise to any successor-in-interest, including a successor-in-interest that arises through merger, sale, assignment, restructuring, change of control, or any other transaction. No later than 15 days after the transfer is complete, the successor-in-interest shall apply for a video service franchise under sub. (3) (d) and comply with sub. (3) (e) 1. The successor-in-interest may provide video service in the video franchise area during the period that the department reviews the application.

AB207-engrossed,30,2 (13) Rule-making; enforcement. (a) Notwithstanding s. 227.11 and except as provided in sub. (3) (f) 4., the department of financial institutions may not promulgate rules interpreting or establishing procedures for this section and the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection may not promulgate rules interpreting or establishing procedures for sub. (8).

AB207-engrossed,30,9 (b) Except as provided in sub. (7) (e), a municipality, interim cable operator, or video service provider that is affected by a failure to comply with this section may bring an action to enforce this section. If a court finds that a municipality, interim cable operator, or video service provider has not complied with this section, the court shall order the municipality, interim cable operator, or video service provider to comply with this section. Notwithstanding ss. 814.01, 814.02, 814.03, and 814.035, no costs may be allowed in an action under this paragraph to any party.

AB207-engrossed,30,14 (c) The department shall enforce this section, except sub. (8). The department may bring an action to recover any fees that are due and owing under this section or to enjoin a violation of this section, except sub. (8), or any rule promulgated under sub. (3) (f) 4. An action shall be commenced under this paragraph within 3 years after the occurrence of the unlawful act or practice or be barred.

AB207-engrossed, s. 9 Section 9. 66.0421 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-engrossed,30,16 66.0421 (title) Access to cable video service.

AB207-engrossed, s. 10 Section 10. 66.0421 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB207-engrossed, s. 11 Section 11. 66.0421 (1) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

AB207-engrossed, s. 12 Section 12. 66.0421 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB207-engrossed,30,20 66.0421 (1) (c) "Video service" has the meaning given in s. 66.0420 (2) (y).

AB207-engrossed, s. 13 Section 13. 66.0421 (1) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

AB207-engrossed,30,23 66.0421 (1) (d) "Video service provider" has the meaning given in s. 66.0420 (2) (zg), and also includes an interim cable operator, as defined in s. 66.0420 (2) (n).

AB207-engrossed, s. 14 Section 14. 66.0421 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-engrossed,31,8 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-engrossed, s. 15 Section 15. 66.0421 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-engrossed,31,19 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-engrossed, s. 16 Section 16. 66.0421 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-engrossed,31,23 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-engrossed, s. 17 Section 17. 66.0422 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207-engrossed,32,2 66.0422 (title) Cable television Video service, telecommunications, and broadband facilities.

AB207-engrossed, s. 18 Section 18. 66.0422 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB207-engrossed, s. 19 Section 19. 66.0422 (1) (d) of the statutes is created to read: