HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1028
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Passed House:
February 13, 2009
Title: An act relating to services provided by television reception improvement districts.
Brief Description: Concerning services provided by television reception improvement districts.
Sponsors: Representative Armstrong.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Technology, Energy & Communications: 1/15/09, 1/21/09 [DP].
Floor Activity
Passed House: 2/13/09, 95-0.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY, ENERGY & COMMUNICATIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives McCoy, Chair; Eddy, Vice Chair; Crouse, Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Carlyle, Condotta, Finn, Hasegawa, Herrera, Hinkle, Jacks, McCune, Takko and Van De Wege.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Hudgins.
Staff: Kara Durbin (786-7133)
Background:
Legislation allowing for the creation of television reception improvement districts was enacted in 1971. State law authorizes television reception improvement districts to be formed for the construction, maintenance, and operation of television and frequency modulation radio translator stations. The business of the district is conducted by the board of a television reception improvement district. The board must ascertain and prepare a list on an annual basis of all persons believed to own television sets within the district and deliver a copy of the list to the county treasurer.The county treasurer may collect an excise tax of no more than $60 per year per television set. A person who owns more than one television set, but less than five television sets, may only be assessed for one television set. A motel, hotel, or any person owning more than five television sets must pay at a rate of one-fifth of the annual tax rate for each of the first five television sets and one-tenth of such rate for each additional television set.An owner of a television set within the district is exempt if: (1)
the television set does not receive at least a class grade B contour signal retransmitted by the television translator station or other similar device operated by the district; or (2) the television set receives a subscription to services of a community antenna system.
Summary of Bill:
The purpose section of the television reception improvement district statute is extended to include activities to construct, maintain, and operate public safety emergency radio communications systems.A television reception improvement district may translate or retransmit signals which originate from public safety emergency radio communications systems.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This is a very straightforward bill, which only affects a few areas. This committee heard and passed this bill last year. In rural parts of the state, emergency radios would benefit in co-locating at the same site as where these television reception towers are located. This bill allows this type of co-location to occur.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Armstrong, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.