HB0019

Official summary

Bill Summary - 20LSO-0010 Bill No.: HB0019 Effective: 7/1/2020 12:00:00 AM LSO No.: 20LSO-0010 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0047 Chapter No.: 85 Prime Sponsor: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Interim Committee Catch Title: Municipal right-of-way franchise fees. Subject: Franchise fee agreements for access to municipal rights-of-way Summary/Major Elements: The bill elaborates on the authority of cities or towns to enter into franchise agreements with communications companies for access to public rights-of-way. The bill provides an exception for cable franchises, which are governed by federal law. The bill requires that all communications companies franchise agreements comport with federal and state law, be fair and reasonable, competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory and reasonably encourage and not impair or inhibit the deployment of communications services. The bill includes a limitation that if a franchise fee is assessed on local exchange services the city or town shall not assess additional fees on other communications services. The bill allows franchise fees on noncable communications companies to be passed through to customers, prohibits franchise fees on internet access service and provides limitations on franchise agreement negotiations. The bill also allows for existing franchises to continue until termination. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.