SB56 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Public providers of municipal telecommunication services, certain restrictions removed and delivery of services further provided for, Sec. 11-50B-3 am'd.

Summary

SB56 broadens the service area and services of municipal public providers to include cable, internet, and advanced telecommunications within designated planning and utility areas.

What This Bill Does

It removes geographic restrictions on municipal providers and lets them operate and expand cable systems, telecommunications equipment, and related services in the municipality’s planning area and any area where utilities are provided. It allows these providers to offer internet access, other internet services, interactive computer services, and advanced telecommunications, along with related services, directly to residents, schools, and other public entities, but only advanced telecommunications service is authorized. It permits leasing of unused cable systems and equipment to others (leases may last up to 25 years) and requires nondiscriminatory, unbundled access to the providers' equipment for telecommunications carriers and electric cooperatives, with reciprocal access terms. It requires alarm-system installers to be licensed and preserves rights-of-way management and fair compensation rules.

Who It Affects

• Municipalities and municipal instrumentalities gain expanded authority to provide and operate cable systems and services across broader planning and utility areas.
• Residents, businesses, public schools, and other public entities within those areas may receive a wider range of services, including internet access and advanced telecom.
• Telecommunications carriers and electric cooperatives gain nondiscriminatory, unbundled access to the public provider's equipment, with reciprocal access provisions for the other party's equipment.
• Alarm-system installers and their employees must be licensed by the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure.
• Public rights-of-way management and fair, competitively neutral compensation rules remain applicable.

Key Provisions

• Expands service-area authority for municipalities and municipal instrumentalities to provide cable systems, telecommunications equipment, and advanced telecommunications services within planning-area and utility-service areas.
• Allows furnishing internet access, other internet services, interactive computer service, alarm monitoring, meter reading, and billing directly to the public, but limits telecommunications to advanced telecommunications service (non-advanced telecom not authorized).
• Authorizes leasing of unused cable systems and equipment to others, with lease terms not to exceed 25 years.
• Requires nondiscriminatory, unbundled access to public-provider equipment for telecommunications carriers and electric cooperatives, with reciprocal access as applicable.
• Requires alarm-system installers to be licensed by the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure.
• Preserves management of public rights-of-way and fair, competitively neutral compensation for use of rights-of-way.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage and Governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Telecommunications