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! <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />league of minnesota oities <br /> <br />TD: RLL CLERKS <br />FRDM: Joel Jsmnik, Legislative Counsel <br />I~: Cable Television <br /> <br />As you probably already know, President Reagan signed the Cable <br />Communications Policy Act of IgBk on October 30, 19Bq. It is <br />important to note, however, that the bill Boes into effect on <br />December 29, 198~. <br /> <br />It is essential that cities exercise great caution before making any <br />changes in the provisions of existing franchises, particularly <br />changes requested by the city's cable operator. While the <br />legislation will eventually require some changes in the relationship <br />between cities and cable operators, it has no immediate effect for <br />existing franchises foe two reasons. <br /> <br />First, the legislation is ~ot effective until the end of December <br />and, second, it grandfathers many provisions of existing franchises. <br />In those areas in ~hich changes are necessary, the changes are <br />gradually phased in over an extended period of time. The authority <br />to regulate basic service rates, for example, is grandfathered for <br />two years in existing franchises and frar~hise renewals. No changes <br />should be made without consulting the ~ew legislation. The League <br />hopes to have a comprehensive guidebook on cable (published by the <br />National League of Cities) available some time before the <br />legislation's effective date. <br /> <br />In a related cable matter, the State *Cable Communications Board will <br />be requesting comments for its December and January meetings on the <br />r~ed for or desirability of a separate rule or set of rules <br />regulating the municipally owned or operated cable television <br />systems. Last meek the City of Windom received confirmation from the <br />Board as the owner and operator of the system within the city by <br />means of granting the city variances from the existing rules. Not <br />surprisingly, private cable operators ~ho do not like the idea of <br />mur, icipally owned systems, raised the question ~ether separate rules <br />relating to municipal o~nership of cable systems ought to be enacted. <br /> <br />If you wish to make formal or informal comments on this subject or if <br />your city may be interested in a municipal system, either upon <br />original construction or on renewal, please contact Stan Peskar or <br />myself at the League offices. <br /> <br />I 83 university avenue east. st. paul. minnesota 55109 (69 ~2] 2~ <br /> <br /> <br />