AR SB588

Adds Arkansas Code § 14-296-102 to permit political subdivisions, rural electric cooperatives, telephone companies, video service providers, cable companies, and fiber optic telecommunication providers to use municipal and county rights-of-way for installing infrastructure without regulation or interference by governmental entities or property owners, provided such use does not interfere with transportation purposes.

Prohibits authorized entities from owing compensation to property owners or governmental entities for right-of-way use, including permitting fees, licensing fees, administrative fees, engineering fees, insurance fees, and construction fees, except that municipalities may still impose franchise fees under § 14-200-101.

Amends Arkansas Code § 27-67-304(b) to apply the same right-of-way use provisions to state highway rights-of-way, expanding the list of authorized entities to include video service providers and other fiber optic telecommunication providers.

Establishes that state highway right-of-way users are exempt from compensating the State Highway Commission or property owners for right-of-way use, subject to the same fee restrictions as municipal and county rights-of-way.

Defines "video service provider" as an entity providing video programming services through wireline facilities located at least in part in public rights-of-way, regardless of delivery technology.