SB 6034-S.E - DIGEST
(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Authorizes a public utility district that, as of the effective date of this act, provides only water, sewer, and wholesale telecommunications services in certain counties, to provide retail internet service on the district's broadband network located within the district boundaries only when all of the existing providers of end-user internet service on the district's broadband network cease to provide end-user service or provide inadequate end-user service.

Requires a public utility district that provides cable television service to secure a cable television franchise and pay franchise fees and any applicable taxes to the local cable franchise authority.

Prohibits a public utility district from conditioning the availability or cost of other services upon the purchase or use of retail internet service.

Requires the chief administrative law judge to, when requested by the public utility district commissioners, assign an administrative law judge to conduct certain proceedings.

Subjects the property owned by a public utility district that is exempt from property tax to an annual payment in lieu of property taxes if the property consists of a broadband network used in providing retail internet service.

Requires the amount of the payment to be determined jointly between the public utility district that owns the property and the county in which the property is located.