May 18, 2007

The End is Near

As the 2007 legislative session draws closer to an end, many important topics are being addressed.  Major legislation dealing with a variety of topics will be taken up next week by the Senate Standing Committees. 

After recommending improvements to the lottery scholarship program, the Senate Education Committee is poised to tackle the BEP.  An in-depth discussion of the intricacies of the BEP including fiscal capacity and accountability measures are planned for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

The Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to hear two key proposals from Governor Bredesen.   The first being legislation that will raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by 40 cents.  The Bredesen Administration is also prepared to unveil the supplemental amendment to the budget, which will highlight the areas that the Governor would like to spend the additional surplus money. 

Remember that all committee and regular sessions of the Senate are video streamed over the internet.  To view live or archived sessions visit www.legislature.state.tn.us, click on Senate, and then Video Streaming.  A link is also available at www.tnsenate.com.

Competitive Cable and Video Services Act

Quite possibly the most talked about legislation of the session is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee on Tuesday.  Known as the “Competitive Cable and Video Services Act”, Senate Bill 1933 would allow any entity seeking to provide cable or video service over a cable system or video service network facility in Tennessee to apply for a statewide franchise agreement, as opposed to a local franchise.  The bill is sponsored by Sen. Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro).

The bill is being pushed by AT&T.  They are claiming that passage of the bill will quickly allow them to enter the cable services market providing consumers with additional choices and lower prices for services.  Opponents claim that there is already a system in place, and passage of the bill will give AT&T an unfair advantage.

Both proponents and opponents of the bill have made presentations to the Commerce, Labor and Agriculture Committee in recent weeks.  This week, the committee heard amendments to address a number of concerns with the bill. 

The amendments make several key changes to the bill:

• Rights-of-way remain under local control.
• Adds a build out requirement for new entrants.  Requires the telecommunications company with more than one million lines to offer service in 25 percent of its statewide footprint within three years and 50 percent within 6 years.
• Makes the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) the franchising authority rather than the Secretary of State.
• Includes franchise fees and late fees as a part of the definition of gross revenues.
• Customer complaints will be fielded by local representatives.
• Deletes reference to placing equipment on land of private individuals.
• Limits statewide franchise certificate to ten years.
• Franchise fees remain under local control.
• Statewide franchise holders must provide 90 days advance notice and provide refunds for service not provided if they want to terminate service.
• Permits all existing public, educational and governmental access (PEG) channels for non commercial programming to be permanently preserved regardless of usage.

The committee will resume debate on the bill at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Black Receives Award

Republican Caucus Chairman Diane Black (R-Gallatin) has been awarded the State and Public Policy Leadership Award by the American Diabetes Association.  She received the honor for her outstanding commitment to improving the lives of Tennesseans with diabetes.

“This is a great honor that I truly appreciate,” stated Black.  “I consider it a great privilege to serve the people of Tennessee in the state Senate and work with outstanding organizations as the American Diabetes Association.”

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