SB228 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Class 6 municipality, certain telecommunications services authorized in county where Class 6 municipality located and within corp. limits and police jurisdiction of other municipalities located in same county

Summary

SB228 would let Class 6 municipalities in Alabama extend cable, Internet, and other telecom services to the entire county, not just within their own cities, with consent from other governments.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes Class 6 municipalities to provide cable, interactive computer service, Internet access, other Internet services, and advanced telecommunications service throughout the county, including in other municipalities. They may acquire, establish, purchase, construct, maintain, enlarge, extend, lease, improve, and operate these systems anywhere in the county or within other municipalities' boundaries. For services inside another municipality's corporate limits or police jurisdiction, prior written consent from that municipality is required (county consent is not a substitute). For services in unincorporated areas, prior county consent is required. The act preserves public rights-of-way rules, requires franchise and nondiscriminatory taxes/fees, allows debt financing for these projects, and states that the new powers are cumulative with existing authority; it takes effect immediately and ratifies prior actions.

Who It Affects

• Class 6 municipalities: gain countywide authority to provide multiple telecom services and to build/operate related systems, with related debt options and consent requirements.
• County residents and other county municipalities: may gain access to expanded services if consent is granted, with consent rules limiting where services can be provided (unincorporated areas require county consent; other municipalities require their own consent).

Key Provisions

• Authorizes Class 6 municipalities to furnish and make available cable service, interactive computer service, Internet access, other Internet services, and advanced telecommunications service throughout the county.
• Allows acquisition, establishment, purchase, construction, maintenance, extension, and operation of cable systems and telecommunications equipment anywhere in the county or within other municipalities’ boundaries or police jurisdictions.
• Requires prior written consent of the governing body of any other municipality for service within that municipality’s corporate limits or police jurisdiction; county consent is not a substitute for municipal consent.
• Requires prior county consent to provide services in unincorporated areas.
• Preserves rights-of-way management by governments and requires nondiscriminatory taxes/fees through municipal franchises and related requirements.
• Allows indebtedness via warrants for funding these activities and confirms that powers are cumulative with existing authority.

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