53-C:1 Definitions. – In this chapter: I. "Cable television system" means facilities by which television signals are received at a central location and for consideration are transmitted to customers or subscribers by means of cables or wires. II. "Company" means any person, partnership, association, or corporation, including a municipality, owning or operating a cable […]
53-C:2 Franchise Required. – I. No company shall construct, commence construction, or operate a cable television system in any municipality without first obtaining a written franchise from the franchising authority of each municipality in which such system is installed or to be installed. II. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent municipalities from cooperating to […]
53-C:3 Authority to Grant Franchises. – Municipalities are hereby authorized to grant, renew, amend or rescind for cause franchises for the installation and operation of cable television systems in accordance with the provisions of this chapter within the geographical limits of its respective town or city. Source. 1974, 23:1. 1996, 72:2, eff. July 12, […]
53-C:3-a Franchise Applicant Considerations. – No municipality shall grant a franchise for cable service to a cable system within its jurisdiction without first, at a duly noticed public hearing, having considered: I. The financial ability of the franchise applicant to perform. II. The ability of the applicant to provide adequate and technically sound facilities, […]
53-C:3-b Franchises; Administration by Municipality. – I. All franchises shall be nonexclusive. No municipality shall grant any additional franchises to cable service within its jurisdiction on terms or conditions more favorable or less burdensome than those in any existing franchise within such municipality. II. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent any […]
53-C:3-c Credits and Refunds for Interruption of Service. – Every franchisee shall agree to the following: I. In the event its service to any subscriber is interrupted for 24 or more consecutive hours, it will, upon request, grant such subscriber a pro rata credit or rebate. II. It will maintain an office which shall […]
53-C:3-d Notice to Subscribers Regarding Quality of Service. – I. Annually, every cable television system operator shall mail to each of its subscribers a notice which: (a) Informs subscribers how to communicate their views to the cable company and to the office of the attorney general, consumer protection and antitrust bureau; (b) States the […]
53-C:3-e Recording of Subscriber Complaints. – I. Every cable television system operator shall keep a record or log of all written complaints received regarding quality of service, equipment malfunctions, billing procedure, employee relations with customers and similar matters. Such records shall be maintained for a period of 2 years. II. Such record shall contain […]
53-C:3-f Franchise Document Clearing House. – Within 60 days of the granting of an initial franchise and any renewal of such franchise, the franchisee shall file a copy of the franchise and any Federal Communications Commission rulings or other rulings affecting such franchisee with the secretary of state. Within 60 days of June 2, […]
53-C:3-g Rights of Individuals. – No cable television system operator shall deny service, deny access, or otherwise discriminate against subscribers, channel users, or any other citizens on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical disability, or country of natural origin. Source. 1989, 338:3. 1990, 140:2, XI, eff. June 18, […]
53-C:4 Authority to Establish Fees and Impose Conditions. – In conjunction with the rights granted in said franchises, any franchising authority may require reasonable fees payable to the municipality and may impose conditions not inconsistent with applicable Rules and Regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, as amended from time to time. Source. 1974, 23:1, […]
53-C:5 Existing Operations. – Any existing contract, license, permit, resolution or other accepted authorization for a cable television system which is in operation as of April 2, 1974, or for a cable television system which has substantially completed the installation of equipment and facilities as of such date, shall be deemed to be a […]
53-C:6 Installation of Cable Television in Manufactured Housing Parks. – I. A cable television operator who affixes or causes to be affixed cable television facilities to the dwelling of a tenant in a manufactured housing park shall: (a) Do so at no cost to the landlord of such manufactured housing park. (b) Indemnify the […]
