Sec. 3.
(1) Before offering video services within the boundaries of a local unit of government the video provider shall enter into or possess a franchise agreement with the local unit of government as required by this act.
(2) A franchising entity shall notify the provider as to whether the submitted franchise agreement is complete as required by this act within 15 business days after the date that the franchise agreement is filed. If the franchise agreement is not complete, the franchising entity shall state in its notice the reasons the franchise agreement is incomplete.
(3) A franchising entity shall have 30 days after the submission date of a complete franchise agreement to approve the agreement. If the franchising entity does not notify the provider regarding the completeness of the franchise agreement or approve the franchise agreement within the time periods required under this subsection, the franchise agreement shall be considered complete and the franchise agreement approved.
(4) The uniform video service local franchise agreement issued by a franchising entity or an existing franchise of an incumbent video service provider is fully transferable to any successor in interest to the provider to which it is initially granted. A notice of transfer shall be filed with the franchising entity within 15 days of the completion of the transfer.
(5) The uniform video service local franchise agreement issued by a franchising entity may be terminated or the video service area footprint may be modified, except as provided under section 9, by the provider by submitting notice to the franchising entity.
(6) If any of the information contained in the franchise agreement changes, the provider shall timely notify the franchising entity.
(7) The uniform video service local franchise shall be for a period of 10 years from the date it is issued. Before the expiration of the initial franchise agreement or any subsequent renewals, the provider may apply for an additional 10-year renewal under this section.
(8) As a condition to obtaining or holding a franchise, a franchising entity shall not require a video service provider to obtain any other franchise, assess any other fee or charge, or impose any other franchise requirement than is allowed under this act. For purposes of this subsection, a franchise requirement includes, but is not limited to, a provision regulating rates charged by video service providers, requiring the video service providers to satisfy any build-out requirements, or a requirement for the deployment of any facilities or equipment.
History: 2006, Act 480, Eff. Jan. 1, 2007
Last modified: October 10, 2016