Requires public utilities and cable television companies to accommodate and relocate facilities and pay costs thereof when necessary for infrastructure projects.
Impact
One of the significant impacts of A2233 is that it shifts the financial burden of accommodating and relocating utility facilities from taxpayers to the utilities themselves. Currently, such costs are factored into the overall expense of highway projects, which can lead to increased strain on public funds. This bill aims to prevent taxpayers from shouldering these costs, ensuring that utilities, which have the legal privilege to occupy public rights-of-way, are accountable for the expenses related to their facilities being relocated for infrastructure improvements.
Summary
Assembly Bill A2233 establishes a framework requiring public utilities and cable television companies to accommodate and relocate their facilities during infrastructure projects undertaken by state, county, or municipal contracting entities. This bill stipulates that the costs incurred for such relocations or accommodations will be borne by the respective utilities, rather than taxpayers. This legislative move aims to streamline infrastructure projects, often vital for maintaining public service and quality of life, by minimizing delays associated with the relocation of utility facilities.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding Bill A2233 may include the potential concerns from public utility companies regarding their financial responsibilities. Utilities might argue that the bill could place an undue burden on them, affecting their operational costs and possibly leading to higher prices for consumers. On the other hand, supporters of the bill argue that it incentivizes utilities to be more proactive in managing their infrastructure, ultimately leading to more efficient use of public funds and timely completion of essential infrastructure projects.
Carry Over
Requires public utilities and cable television companies to accommodate and relocate facilities and pay costs thereof when necessary for infrastructure projects.
Requires public utilities and cable television companies to accommodate and relocate facilities when necessary for transportation infrastructure projects at direction of DOT.
Requires cable television companies to provide cable television service and broadband Internet speed to all committed service areas before cable television companies allow paid prioritization of Internet network traffic.
Allows the state to require utilities to relocate facilities for certain highway projects and to pay the cost of the relocation to the utility as part of the cost of the federally aided highway project.
Allows the state to require utilities to relocate facilities for certain highway projects and to pay the cost of the relocation to the utility as part of the cost of the federally aided highway project.
Provides that contractors and subcontractors to cable television companies who are assessed penalties for two separate violations of payroll reporting requirements shall be ineligible to submit a bid on or be awarded any public work contract with the state, any municipal corporation or public body for five years; provides that cable television companies shall be subject to the requirement that workers on certain excavation projects be paid not less than a prevailing rate of wage.
Requires cable television, direct broadcast satellite, and television streaming service companies to include certain fees and charges for service in advertised price to consumers.