CC PACKET 11221983 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

w ^ v Minnesota Municipalities December 27, 1984 Page 3 of 3 procedures and standards that have guided and assisted them for many years: Under the federal law, the Minnesota Cable Communications Board 'may,. as . in the past, exercise authority in at least the following areas: - Franchises and minimum franchise standards = Initial and renewal franchise terms Franchising procedures . Renewal procedures consistent with federal requirements Certification of franchises Non-exclusivity of franchises - Cable Service Territory establishment Access Channels for public, educational and governmental use - Leased access channels consistent with federal requirements - Extension of Service requirements Procedures for sale or transfer of a franchise - Standards for ownership and control where not inconsistent with the federal rules - Establishment of a Regional Channel in the metropolitan area • - Interconnection of cable systems in the metropolitan area for the Regional Channel Interconnection of cable systems elsewhere where a need is shown - Pole attachments - Access of multiple dwelling units - Minimum channel capacity - Construction, operation and abandonment standards. During this transition period when the effects of the new federal law are still being debated in various quarters, the Cable Board and its staff expect to be called upon to assist franchising authorities in understanding and implementing the new measure, particularly as it applies to Minnesota's state requirements. We are not in a position to interpret federal law, but we will try to provide whatever information is available to us about decisions and interpretations that have been made known. Questions will come up; we will help wherever we can. The Declaration of Legislative Findings and.Intent which prefaces the Minnesota Minnesota Cable Statutes in Chapter 238 speaks of the need for a state agency to develop a state cable communications policy, to promote the rapid development of a cable industry responsive to community and public interest and consonant with policies regulations and statutes of the federal government. (emphasis supplied) It is of interest that a number of Minnesota's cable policies have been incorporated.into the new federal regulations and that the state's • cable objectives remain essentially unchanged by its passage into law. Finally, it.is evident that the new federal legislation continues a parallel 3-level cable regulatory involvement of federal, state and local governments. W DD/blf