AB207: Bill Text

AB207,15,16 (b) Incumbent cable operators. 1. A municipality may not renew or extend the cable franchise of an incumbent cable operator that expires after the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date].

AB207,15,17 2. An incumbent cable operator may do one of the following:

AB207,15,19 a. Continue to provide cable service as an interim cable operator until the cable franchise expires.

AB207,16,2 b. Apply for a video service franchise. If an incumbent cable operator applies for a video service franchise, the cable franchise shall terminate and have no effect upon issuance of the video service franchise. Upon termination of the cable franchise, the municipality that granted the franchise shall, at the request of the incumbent cable operator, surrender, return, or take such other action as may be necessary to nullify any bond, letter of credit, or similar instrument intended to secure the performance of the incumbent cable operator under the cable franchise.

AB207,16,13 3. An incumbent cable operator whose cable franchise expires after the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date], may not, after expiration of the cable franchise, provide video service in this state unless the incumbent cable operator applies for a video service franchise under subd. 2. b. and, upon issuance of the video service franchise, provides the notice required under par. (h). An incumbent cable operator whose cable franchise expired before the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date], and who was providing cable service immediately before the effective date of this act, may continue to provide cable service if, no later than the first day of the 2nd month beginning after the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date], the incumbent cable operator applies for a video service franchise under subd. 2. b.

AB207,16,19 (c) Other providers. If a person, other than an incumbent cable operator, who was providing video service immediately before the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], applies, no later than the first day of the 2nd month beginning after the effective date of this paragraph .... [revisor inserts date], for a video franchise, the person may provide video service until the department issues a video franchise to the person.

AB207,16,21 (d) Application. An applicant for a video service franchise shall submit an application to the department that consists of all of the following:

AB207,16,24 1. The location and telephone number of the applicant's principal place of business, the names of the principal executive officers of the applicant, and the names of any persons authorized to represent the applicant before the department.

AB207,17,2 2. A description of the area or areas of the state in which the applicant intends to provide video service.

AB207,17,4 3. The date on which the applicant intends to begin providing video service in the video franchise area.

AB207,17,6 4. An affidavit signed by an officer or general partner of the applicant that affirms all of the following:

AB207,17,8 a. That the applicant has filed or will timely file with the FCC all forms required by the FCC in advance of offering video service.

AB207,17,10 b. That the applicant agrees to comply with this section and all applicable federal statutes and regulations.

AB207,17,12 c. That the applicant is legally, financially, and technically qualified to provide video service.

AB207,17,17 (e) Service upon municipalities. 1. At the time that an applicant submits an application under par. (d), or a video service provider submits a notification regarding a modification to an application under par. (j), to the department, the applicant or video service provider shall serve a copy of the application or notification on each municipality in the video franchise area.

AB207,17,23 2. a. This subdivision applies only to a municipality that, under subd. 1., is served a copy of an application or that, under subd. 1., is served a copy of a notification relating to an expansion of the area or areas of the state in which a video service provider intends to provide video service, if the municipality has not previously been served a copy of an application under subd. 1. by that video service provider.

AB207,18,5 b. If a municipality specified in subd. 2. a. has granted any cable franchise that is in effect immediately before the effective date of this subdivision .... [revisor inserts date], the municipality shall, no later than 10 business days after receipt of the copy, notify the applicant in writing of the number of PEG channels for which incumbent cable operators are required to provide channel capacity in the municipality and the percentage of revenues that incumbent cable operators are required to pay the municipality as franchise fees.

AB207,18,9 (f) Department duties. 1. No later than 10 business days after the filing of an application, the department shall notify the applicant in writing as to whether the application is complete and, if the department has determined that the application is not complete, the department shall state the reasons for the determination.

AB207,18,15 2. No later than 10 business days after the filing of an application that the department has determined is complete, the department shall issue a video service franchise to the applicant and, if the department fails to do so, the department shall be considered to have issued a video service franchise to the applicant, unless the applicant withdraws the application or agrees with the department to an extension of time.

AB207,18,19 (g) Effect of video service franchise. A video service franchise issued by the department authorizes a video service provider to occupy the public rights-of-way and to construct, operate, maintain, and repair a video service network to provide video service in the video franchise area.

AB207,18,22 (h) Notice before providing service. No later than 10 days before providing video service in a municipality in a video franchise area, a video service provider shall provide notice to the department and the municipality.

AB207,19,2 (i) Expiration of video service franchise. A video service franchise issued to a video service provider does not expire, unless the video service provider gives 30 days' advance notice to the department that the video service provider intends to terminate the video service franchise. If a video service provider gives such notice, the video service franchise shall expire on the termination date stated in the notice.

AB207,19,10 (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 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 notify the department as soon as practicable after making such a determination but no later than 10 business days before providing video service in the expansion area or areas.

AB207,19,18 (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, 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.

AB207,20,2 (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].

AB207,20,12 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.

AB207,20,18 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.

AB207,20,24 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.

AB207,21,4 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.

AB207,21,13 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.

AB207,21,23 (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.

AB207,22,2 b. For purposes of this subdivision, a PEG channel is substantially utilized by a municipality if the municipality provides 12 hours or more of programming on the PEG channel each calendar day and at least 80 percent of that programming is locally produced and not repeated.

AB207,22,6 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 until the 90th day after the municipality provides such notice.

AB207,22,10 (c) Powers and duties of municipalities. 1. Except as otherwise required under par. (a), 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.

AB207,22,16 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.

AB207,22,19 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:

AB207,23,2 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.

AB207,23,6 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.

AB207,23,13 (d) Duties of interim cable providers and video service provider. 1. If a municipality requires an interim cable operator or video service provider to provide channel capacity for a PEG channel under par. (a), 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's or video service provider's video service network to one distribution point used by the municipality to transmit programming for the PEG channel.

AB207,23,23 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.

AB207,24,3 (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.

AB207,24,17 (7) Video service provider fee. (a) Duty to pay fee. 1. Notwithstanding s. 66.0611 and except as provided in subd. 2., 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). 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.

AB207,24,22 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.

AB207,24,25 (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:

AB207,25,7 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.

AB207,25,10 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.

AB207,25,14 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.

AB207,25,17 (c) Generally accepted accounting principles. All determinations and computations made under this subsection shall be made pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles.

AB207,25,22 (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.

AB207,26,3 (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.

AB207,26,9 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 3 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.

AB207,26,11 (f) Itemization. A video service provider may identify and collect the amount related to a video service provider fee as a separate line item on customer bills.

AB207,26,16 (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 any permit fee, encroachment fee, degradation fee, or any other fee, for the occupation of or work within public rights-of-way.

AB207,26,20 (8) Discrimination; access to services. (a) 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.

AB207,26,22 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:

AB207,26,25 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.

AB207,27,3 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.

AB207,27,6 (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:

AB207,27,9 a. Not less than 25 percent no later than 3 years after the date on which the large telecommunications video service provider began providing video service under this section.

AB207,27,14 b. Not less than 50 percent no later than 6 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.

AB207,27,17 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.

AB207,27,24 (c) Extensions and waivers. A video service provider may apply to the department for an extension of any time limit specified in par. (a) 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:

AB207,28,2 1. The video service provider's inability to obtain access to public and private rights-of-way under reasonable terms and conditions.

AB207,28,4 2. Developments and buildings that are not subject to competition because of exclusive service arrangements.

AB207,28,6 3. Developments and buildings that are not accessible using reasonable technical solutions under commercially reasonable terms and conditions.

AB207,28,7 4. Natural disasters.

AB207,28,8 5. Other factors beyond the control of the video service provider.

AB207,28,11 (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:

AB207,28,14 1. Offers service, functionality, and content demonstrably similar to the service, functionality, and content provided through the video service provider's video service network.

AB207,28,16 2. Provides access to PEG channels and messages broadcast over the emergency alert system.

AB207,28,22 (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.

AB207,29,3 (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.

AB207,29,10 (b) 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.

AB207,29,19 (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.

AB207,30,5 (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 10 days after the transfer is completed, the person originally issued the video service franchise shall provide notice of the transfer to the department and to any municipality in which the person has provided video service, and the person to whom the video service franchise is transferred shall submit the information and affidavit specified in sub. (3) (d) 1. and 4. to the department and to any such municipality. Neither the department nor any municipality shall have any authority to review or approve the transfer.

AB207,30,8 (13) Rule-making; enforcement. (a) Notwithstanding s. 227.11, the department may not promulgate rules interpreting or establishing procedures for this section.

AB207,30,15 (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.

AB207,30,17 (c) Any violation of this section may be enforced by an action on behalf of the state by the department of justice.

AB207, s. 8 Section 8. 66.0421 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207,30,19 66.0421 (title) Access to cable video service.

AB207, s. 9 Section 9. 66.0421 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

AB207, s. 10 Section 10. 66.0421 (1) (b) of the statutes is repealed.

AB207, s. 11 Section 11. 66.0421 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB207,30,23 66.0421 (1) (c) "Video service" has the meaning given in s. 66.0420 (2) (y).

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

AB207,31,2 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, s. 13 Section 13. 66.0421 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB207,31,11 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, s. 14 Section 14. 66.0421 (3) of the statutes is amended to read: