§ 216. Powers of the commission in respect to cable television companies. 1. The commission may promulgate, issue, amend and rescind such orders, rules and regulations as it may find necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this article. Such orders, rules and regulations may classify persons and matters within the jurisdiction of the commission and prescribe different requirements for different classes of persons or matters. A copy of any order, rule or regulations promulgated hereunder shall be subject to public inspection during reasonable business hours. 2. The commission may require cable television companies to maintain and file such reports, contracts and statements, including but not limited to ownership, accounting, auditing and operating statements, engineering reports and other data as the commission may deem necessary or appropriate to administer the provisions of this article. The commission, including members of its staff, may make reasonable inspections of the records and facilities of any cable television company. 3. The commission may examine, under oath, all officers, agents, employees and stockholders of any cable television company, municipal officials and any other persons and compel the production of papers and the attendance of witnesses to obtain the information necessary to administer the provisions of this article. 4. (a) The commission may require and receive from any agency of the state or any political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as may be necessary to enable the commission to administer the provisions of this article.(b) The commission may enter into such cooperative arrangements with the board of regents, the council on the arts, other state agencies and municipalities, each of which is hereby authorized to enter into such cooperative arrangements, as shall be necessary or appropriate to assure that there will be maximum utilization of existing expertise in communications technology, cable television operations and programming and that the purposes of this article will be effectively accomplished. Upon request of the commission, any state agency may transfer to the commission such officers and employees as the commission may deem necessary from time to time to assist the commission in carrying out its functions and duties. Officers and employees so transferred shall not lose their civil service status or rights. 5. The commission shall have and may exercise all other powers necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this article.
