HF 2351

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to telecommunications; requiring a study of the impact of state video
franchising in states that have enacted such legislation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin STATE VIDEO FRANCHISING STUDY.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Study contents. new text end

new text begin The Department of Commerce shall contract for a
study of the impact of legislation enacted in at least three states that requires franchises
for video service to be issued by a state agency. The contractor conducting the study
shall, prior to its initiation, consult with associations representing municipalities and
communities of color. The study shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
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new text begin (1) the number of new video service providers that have applied for a state video
franchise;
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new text begin (2) the number of incumbent video service providers that have elected to terminate
an existing franchise agreement and apply for a state video franchise;
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new text begin (3) the amount of capital invested by new video service providers to furnish video
service;
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new text begin (4) the number of communities in which new video service providers intend to offer
video services, as reflected in their application;
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new text begin (5) the number of communities with an incumbent video provider in which new
providers intend to offer video services;
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new text begin (6) the number of communities with no incumbent video service provider in which
new video service providers intend to offer video services;
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new text begin (7) the effect on video service prices in communities with an incumbent video
provider in which new video service providers offer video services;
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new text begin (8) the effect on franchise fee revenues received by municipalities from video
service providers;
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new text begin (9) the effect on the number of PEG channels available to communities;
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new text begin (10) the effect on the amount of revenues received by municipalities to support the
provision of PEG programming in communities;
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new text begin (11) the effect on the amount of PEG programming available in communities;
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new text begin (12) the progress of new video providers in meeting any build-out requirements
in the law; and
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new text begin (13) the effect on municipal services provided to communities by video service
providers.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The department shall submit the report described in subdivision
1 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house committees with
primary jurisdiction over telecommunications policy by February 1, 2009.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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