HB4120 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 12628 MJR 37911 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB4120

Introduced , by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

220 ILCS 5/8-511 new

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that if a municipality, pursuant to an ordinance adopted by the corporate authorities of the municipality, enters into a contract with a provider of wireless Internet services (ISP) for the purpose of providing municipal and public access to a wireless broadband Internet network, then a public utility that owns or co-owns above-ground utility poles, including, but not limited to, street light and traffic poles and pole arms located in the public rights-of-way within the municipality, shall be required to enter into pole access agreements with the ISP to allow access to all above-ground poles of the public utility located in the public right-of-way. Contains provisions concerning the terms and conditions of the pole access agreements. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall, within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, adopt rules concerning pole access rates, terms, and conditions and any necessary additional procedures for hearing and resolving contested cases concerning the rates, terms, and conditions. Contains provisions concerning the enforcement of decisions by the Commission regarding contested cases. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by adding Section 8-511 as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/8-511 new)

Sec. 8-511. Pole access agreements; providers of municipal wireless Internet services.

(a) It is the policy of this State to encourage and promote access to wireless networks, especially if the networks further the goals of facilitating the provision of municipal and other public services and the promotion of public safety. In furtherance of that policy, it is necessary that access to public utility poles for providers of wireless Internet services to municipalities and their residents be provided at rates that are just and reasonable.

(b) If a municipality, pursuant to an ordinance adopted by the corporate authorities of the municipality, enters into a contract with a provider of wireless Internet services (ISP) for the purpose of providing municipal and public access to a wireless broadband Internet network, then any public utility that owns or co-owns above-ground utility poles, including, but not limited to, street light and traffic poles and pole arms located in the public rights-of-way within the municipality, is required to enter into pole access agreements with the ISP to allow access to all above-ground poles of the public utility located in the public right-of-way. The pole access agreements shall:

(1) contain rates, terms, and conditions that the Commission determines are just and reasonable; provided, however, that the maximum charge to an ISP by a public utility pursuant to this Section for access to its utility poles shall not exceed $15 per pole, per year; and

(2) be for the purpose of attaching any equipment necessary for the provision of wireless broadband Internet network services within the municipality, including switching, processing, transmission, and distribution equipment.

If poles are co-owned by 2 or more public utilities, or a public utility and non-regulated entity, an agreement for access shall only be necessary with the public utility or other entity that is the majority owner. If an ISP and a public utility are unable to reach an agreement on price or other elements of a pole access agreement within 60 days after the effective date of any contract between the ISP and the municipality, then the ISP may, in its discretion, initiate a contested case with the Commission pursuant to Article X of this Act for the purpose of enforcing the pole access required under this Section.

(c) The Commission shall, within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly, adopt rules concerning pole access rates, terms, and conditions for agreements required under this Section and any necessary additional procedures for hearing and resolving contested cases. For purposes of enforcing any determinations resulting from contested cases originating under this Section, the Commission shall take action as it deems appropriate.

(d) If the Commission finds that a public utility violated any provision of this Section or any Commission order, then it shall order the utility:

(1) to grant access to an ISP; and

(2) to cease and desist from violating the provisions of this Section.

Orders and agreements may be entered on the Commission's own motion or by agreement between the parties. Orders and agreements shall be valid and enforceable for the stated period, but may not exceed 10 years after the date the order or agreement is approved by the Commission, unless the parties stipulate otherwise. Orders and agreements shall be enforceable in any court of this State having proper venue and jurisdiction. Failure to comply with a Commission cease and desist order or order granting access shall constitute a separate violation of this Act apart from any underlying violations.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.