AB234: Bill Text

AB234,20,13 a. The aesthetics requirements must be 1) reasonable in that they are technically feasible and reasonably directed to avoiding or remedying unsightly or out-of-character deployments; 2) no more burdensome than those applied to other types of infrastructure deployments; and 3) objective and published in advance.

AB234,20,16 b. Any design or concealment measures are not considered a part of the small wireless facility for purpose of the size parameters in the definition of a small wireless facility under sub. (1) (u).

AB234,20,19 c. A political subdivision may deny an application for not complying with aesthetic requirements only if the denial does not prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting the provision of wireless service.

AB234,21,16 5. A political subdivision may enact an ordinance to prohibit, in a nondiscriminatory way, a communications service provider from installing structures in the right-of-way of a historic district or an underground district, except that the ordinance may not prohibit collocations or the replacement of existing structures. In this subdivision, a historic district is an area designated as historic by the political subdivision, listed on the national register of historic places in Wisconsin, or listed on the state register of historic places. In this subdivision, an underground district is an area designated by the political subdivision in which all pipes, pipelines, ducts, wires, lines, conduits, or other equipment, which are used for the transmission, distribution, or delivery of electrical power, heat, water, gas, sewer, or telecommunications equipment, are located underground. A political subdivision may require any collocation on or replacement of an existing structure to reasonably conform to the design aesthetics of the original structure in a historic or underground district. Any design or concealment measures are not considered a part of the small wireless facility for purposes of the size restrictions in the definition of “small wireless facility” under sub. (1) (u). The requirements of an ordinance enacted under this subdivision must be objective, technically feasible, no more burdensome than requirements applied to other types of infrastructure deployment, and reasonably directed at avoiding or remedying the intangible public harm of unsightly or out-of-character deployments. A political subdivision may not apply any requirements under an ordinance enacted under this subdivision in a manner that results in an effective prohibition of wireless service.

AB234,21,21 (d) Application fees. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the state or a political subdivision may only charge an application fee that is reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and recovers no more than a governmental unit's direct cost for processing an application, except that no application fee may exceed any of the following:

AB234,21,22 a. For an application that includes 5 or fewer small wireless facilities, $500.

AB234,21,24 b. For an application that includes more than 5 small wireless facilities, $500 plus $100 for each small wireless facility in excess of 5.

AB234,22,2 c. One thousand dollars for the installation or replacement of a utility pole together with the collocation of an associated small wireless facility.

AB234,22,6 2. Beginning on the effective date of this subdivision .... [LRB inserts date], the state or a political subdivision may adjust a fee allowed under subd. 1. by 10 percent every 5 years, rounded to the nearest multiple of $5. During each 5-year period, the adjustment may be applied incrementally or as a single adjustment.

AB234,22,10 3. If the federal communications commission adjusts its levels for fees that are presumptively lawful under 47 USC 253 or 332 (c) (7), the state or a political subdivision may adjust any impacted fee under subd. 1. on a pro rata basis, consistent with the federal communications commission's action.

AB234,22,12 (e) Approvals not required. Neither the state nor a political subdivision may require applications, permits, fees, or any other approval for any of the following:

AB234,22,13 1. Routine maintenance.

AB234,22,19 2. The replacement of a small wireless facility with a small wireless facility that is substantially similar to, or the same size or smaller than, the existing small wireless facility, except that the governmental unit may require the person seeking to replace the small wireless facility to obtain a permit to work within a right-of-way to complete such a replacement. For purposes of this subdivision, a small wireless facility does not include the structure on which it is collocated.

AB234,22,22 3. The installation, placement, maintenance, operation, or replacement of micro wireless facilities that are strung on cables between existing utility poles in compliance with the National Electrical Safety Code.

AB234,23,3 (f) Traffic work permits. Nothing in this section prohibits a political subdivision from requiring a work permit for work that will unreasonably affect traffic patterns or obstruct vehicular traffic in a right-of-way, provided that such permits are issued to any applicant on a nondiscriminatory basis upon terms and conditions that apply to the activities of any other person performing work in the right-of-way that requires excavation or the closing of sidewalks or traffic lanes.

AB234,23,7 (4) Collocation of small wireless facilities on governmental poles and utility poles for designated services. (a) A person owning or controlling a governmental pole or a utility pole for designated services may not enter into an exclusive arrangement with any person for the right to attach to, or use, such poles.

AB234,23,9 (b) The fees or rates charged by the owner of a pole described under par. (a), and the terms and conditions for such attachment or use, may not be discriminatory.

AB234,23,15 (c) The rate a political subdivision may charge a wireless provider to collocate a small wireless facility on a utility pole for designated services shall be governed by an agreement between the political subdivision and the wireless provider. If there is a failure to agree on the rate, the public service commission shall determine the compensation pursuant to the procedures in s. 196.04 and the determination shall be reviewable under s. 196.41.

AB234,23,25 (d) 1. The rate an owner of a governmental pole other than a utility pole for designated services charges another person to collocate on the owner's pole shall be sufficient to recover the actual, direct, and reasonable costs related to the applicant's application for, and use of, space on the pole, except that subject to subd. 2., the total annual rate for a collocation and any related activities may not exceed the lesser of the actual, direct, and reasonable costs related to the collocation or $250 per year per small wireless facility. If a dispute arises concerning the appropriateness of a rate charged by the state or political subdivision under this subdivision, the governmental unit bears the burden of proving that the rate is reasonably related to the actual, direct, and reasonable costs incurred by the governmental unit.

AB234,24,5 2. Beginning on the effective date of this subdivision .... [LRB inserts date], the owner of a governmental pole other than a utility pole for designated services may adjust a rate allowed under subd. 1. by 10 percent every 5 years, rounded to the nearest multiple of $5. During each 5-year period, the adjustment may be applied incrementally or as a single adjustment.

AB234,24,9 3. If the federal communications commission adjusts its levels for rates that are presumptively lawful under 47 USC 253 or 332 (c) (7), the state or a political subdivision may adjust any impacted rate under subd. 1. on a pro rata basis, consistent with the federal communications commission's action.

AB234,24,15 (e) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., by the later of the first day of the 3rd month beginning after the effective date of this subdivision .... [LRB inserts date], or 3 months after receiving its first request to collocate a small wireless facility on a governmental pole, other than a utility pole for designated services, the state or a political subdivision shall implement rates, fees, and terms for the collocation of small wireless facilities on governmental poles that comply with this subsection.

AB234,24,23 2. Agreements between a wireless provider and the state or a political subdivision that are in effect on the effective date of this subdivision .... [LRB inserts date], and that relate to the collocation of small wireless facilities in the right-of-way, including the collocation of small wireless facilities on governmental poles, remain in effect, subject to applicable termination provisions, except that by the first day of the 25th month beginning after the effective date of this subdivision .... [LRB inserts date], the state or political subdivision shall amend any such agreement to comply with the rates, fees, and terms required under this subsection.

AB234,25,5 (f) With regard to a governmental pole that supports aerial cables used for video, communications, or electric service, and with regard to utility poles for designated services, the parties shall comply with the process for make-ready work under 47 USC 224 and its implementing regulations, including 47 CFR 1.1420 and 1.1422. The good faith estimate of the person owning or controlling such poles for any make-ready work necessary to enable the pole to support the requested collocation must include pole replacement if necessary.

AB234,25,15 (g) With regard to a governmental pole that does not support aerial cables used for video, communications, or electric service, the state or political subdivision shall provide a good faith estimate for any make-ready work necessary to enable the pole to support the requested collocation, including pole replacement if necessary, not later than 60 days beginning after receipt of a complete application, except that the governmental unit may provide the applicant with access to the governmental pole that is necessary for the applicant to make that estimate. Make-ready work, including any pole replacement, must be completed within 60 days after the applicant's written acceptance of a good faith estimate provided by the governmental unit or within 60 days after the applicant makes the estimate.

AB234,25,23 (h) A person owning or controlling a governmental pole other than a utility pole for designated services may not require more make-ready work than required to meet applicable codes or industry standards. Fees for make-ready work may not include any costs that are related to preexisting conditions, prior damage, or noncompliance with currently applicable standards. Fees for make-ready work, including any pole replacement, may not exceed actual costs or the amount charged to other communications service providers for similar work, and may not include any consultant fees or expenses.

AB234,26,11 (5) Dispute resolution. Except as provided in sub. (4) (c), and notwithstanding ss. 182.017 (8) (a) and 196.58 (4) (a), a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine all disputes arising under this section. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties to a dispute, and pending resolution of a right-of-way access rate dispute, a political subdivision controlling access to and use of a right-of-way shall allow the placement of a small wireless facility or utility pole at a temporary rate of one-half of the political subdivision's proposed annual rate, or $20, whichever is less. Rates shall be reconciled and adjusted upon final resolution of the dispute. Pending the resolution of a dispute concerning rates for collocation of small wireless facilities on governmental poles or utility poles for designated services, the person owning or controlling the pole shall allow the collocating person to collocate on its poles, at annual rates of no more than $20 per year per pole, with rates to be reconciled and adjusted upon final resolution of the dispute.

AB234,26,19 (6) Indemnification. A wireless provider shall indemnify and hold harmless a political subdivision against any and all liability and loss from personal injury or property damage resulting from or arising out of, in whole or in part, the use or occupancy of rights-of-way by the wireless provider or its employees, agents, or contractors arising out of the rights and privileges granted under this section. A wireless provider has no obligation to indemnify or hold harmless against any liabilities and losses as may be due to or caused by the sole negligence of the political subdivision or its employees or agents.

AB234,26,24 (7) Federal law; contracts. Nothing in this section adds to, replaces, or supersedes federal laws regarding utility poles owned by investor-owned electric utilities nor shall this section impose or otherwise affect any rights, controls, or contractual obligations investor-owned electric utilities may establish with respect to their utility poles.

AB234,27,5 (8) Private property owners. Nothing in this section is intended to authorize a person to place, maintain, modify, operate, or replace a privately owned utility pole or wireless support structure or to collocate small wireless facilities on a privately owned utility pole, a privately owned wireless support structure, or other private property without the consent of the property owner.

AB234,27,11 (9) Communications services. (a) This section may not be construed or interpreted to authorize any entity to provide communications service without compliance with all applicable laws or to authorize the collocation, installation, placement, operation, or maintenance of any communications facilities, including wireline backhaul facilities, other than small wireless facilities and associated utility poles.

AB234,27,15 (b) Except as it relates to small wireless facilities subject to the permit and fee requirements established under this section and except as otherwise specifically required by federal or state law, a political subdivision may not do any of the following:

AB234,27,18 1. Adopt or enforce any regulation or requirement on the placement or operation of communications facilities in rights-of-way by a communications service provider authorized under federal, state, or local law to operate in rights-of-way.

AB234,27,19 2. Regulate any communications service.

AB234,27,22 3. Impose or collect any tax, fee, or other charge for the provision of additional communications services over a communications service provider's communications facilities in a right-of-way.

AB234,3 Section 3 . Nonstatutory provisions.

AB234,27,24 (1) Rights-of-way study committee.

AB234,28,6 (a) There is created a rights-of-way study committee to study laws, regulations, and ordinances regarding use by private entities of public rights-of way in cities, villages, towns, and counties, including private entity access to and placement of facilities in public rights-of-way. The study shall examine fees charged for such use and consider whether the fees are transparent and nondiscriminatory. The study shall include an examination of all of the following:

AB234,28,8 1. Procedures for locating and obtaining access to facilities in public rights-of-way, resolving disputes, and making appeals.

AB234,28,11 2. Issues regarding compensation, timelines, nondiscrimination, mediation, condemnation, remediation, and maintenance that are associated with use of public rights-of-way.

AB234,28,12 (b) The rights-of-way study committee shall consist of the following members:

AB234,28,13 1. The governor or his or her designee.

AB234,28,16 2. Two senators appointed by the senate majority leader or an appointed senator's designee. One member appointed under this subdivision shall serve as cochairperson of the committee.

AB234,28,18 3. One senator appointed by the senate minority leader or the appointed senator's designee.

AB234,28,21 4. Two representatives to the assembly appointed by the speaker of the assembly or an appointed representative's designee. One member appointed under this subdivision shall serve as cochairperson of the committee.

AB234,28,23 5. One representative to the assembly appointed by the minority leader of the assembly or the appointed representative's designee.

AB234,28,25 6. One representative from each of the following appointed jointly by the speaker of the assembly and the senate majority leader:

AB234,29,1 a. The Wisconsin Counties Association.

AB234,29,2 b. The League of Wisconsin Municipalities.

AB234,29,3 c. The Wisconsin Towns Association.

AB234,29,4 d. The Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association.

AB234,29,5 e. The Wisconsin Cable Communications Association.

AB234,29,6 f. The Wisconsin Utilities Association.

AB234,29,8 7. Two representatives of the wireless community appointed jointly by the speaker of the assembly and the senate majority leader.

AB234,29,12 8. Two representatives of the electric distribution community, one of whom represents a for-profit business and one of whom represents a cooperative association, appointed jointly by the speaker of the assembly and the senate majority leader.

AB234,29,15 (c) The study committee shall commence no later than June 1, 2020, and terminate on the date that it completes its study, or January 1, 2021, whichever occurs first.

AB234,4 Section 4 . Initial applicability.

AB234,29,20 (1) The treatment of s. 66.0404 (4e) first applies to an application for a building permit, or any other kind of permit, to construct a new, or substantially modify an existing, mobile service support structure that is filed with a political subdivision on the first day of the 4th month beginning after the effective date of this subsection.

AB234,29,21 (End)