Fla. Senate Passes Franchise Bill Minus Cherry-Picking Amendment
New Entrants Would Have Been Required to Pass 50% of Low-Income Homes in Video-Service Areas
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 4/30/2007 8:51:00 AM MT
The Florida state Senate approved a statewide franchising bill, but not before stripping it of an amendment added in committee that would have required new entrants such as telephone companies to pass 50% of the low-income homes in their video-service areas within three years.
The bill, SB998, approved April 27, now gives authority to the state's Attorney General to investigate charges that a provider discriminated against potential consumers based on economic factors.
The chamber also eliminated caps on fines against providers found guilty of "cherry-picking." Previous versions would have limited fines for discrimination to a maximum of $50,000.
The bill has been subjected to multiple amendments since it was approved earlier this month in the state Assembly. The two versions will have to be reconciled before the bill can be sent to Gov. Charlie Crist.
