HB 1777 provides for fair compensation for cities while ensuring that fees are competitively neutral and non-discriminatory. The PUC will provide you with a list of CTPs. The bill went into effect on Sept. 1, 1999. Franchise agreements between CTPs and cities are not invalidated by HB 1777, but CTPs were allowed to opt out of existing agreements by Dec. 1, 1999. If the CTPs did not opt out, the franchise agreement is in effect until its expiration date.
Cities can no longer require CTPs to have a main office in their city.
They cannot inspect business records of CTPs and they cannot require city approval of transfer of ownership or control of a CTPs business. Cities do have the authority to impose police-power regulations relating to the protection of public health and safety. Each category of access line will have a rate. The rate for each category will be multiplied by the number of lines in that category in the municipality to determine fees. CTPs shall compensate municipalities quarterly an amount that is calculated monthly based on the access line rate by category established by the Commission.