HCS SS SCS SB 284 -- VIDEO SERVICE REGULATIONS

This bill establishes the 2007 Video Services Providers Act which
changes the laws regarding new video franchise agreements.  In
its main provisions, the bill:

(1)  Requires the Missouri Public Service Commission to regulate
video service by issuing video service certificates that grant
authority to construct networks and provide service within
political subdivisions.  Currently, political subdivisions enter
into separate franchise agreements with the video service
providers;

(2)  Allows existing video service providers to provide service
under existing agreements with political subdivisions until the
agreements expire, apply for a new video service authorization,
or convert their existing franchise into a video service
authorization.  The holder of a video service authorization may
terminate the authorization or transfer it to another party upon
notice to the commission;

(3)  Allows political subdivisions to collect a service fee of up
to 5% of the gross revenue of each video service provider, but
the fees for all video service providers in the franchise area
must be the same.  Political subdivisions may adjust fees yearly
by providing 90 days' notice to providers.  A schedule for the
payment of fees is specified and providers are allowed to charge
customers for the tax if it is itemized on the customer's bill;

(4)  Allows political subdivisions to conduct audits of video
service providers and engage in mediation with providers in order
to resolve customer disputes.  Procedures for audits, mediation,
and court challenges are specified;

(5)  Requires the commission to make a report on the
implementation of the provisions of the bill, including customer
comments, to the General Assembly by August 28, 2008, and
annually thereafter for three years;

(6)  Specifies detailed requirements that allow political
subdivisions to require a provider to offer noncommercial public,
educational, and governmental (PEG) channels.  New and existing
providers will be required to meet the same criteria for
providing PEG channels.  Existing providers must fulfill their
obligations to PEG channels until their existing contract expires
or January 1, 2012, whichever is earlier;

(7)  Requires new providers to serve low-income households in
their franchise areas by establishing a target of 25% service to
low-income homes within three years and 30% service within five
years.  Providers having more than one million access lines in
this state will have to meet the 25% target in three years and a
50% target within six years.  The commission may waive these
low-income service requirements in certain cases; and

(8)  Allows political subdivisions to retain reasonable
regulation of their public rights-of-way and the placement of
video service equipment.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am