HB 2497 Summary

• Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 9-506 to require licensing authorities to issue permits to cable operators for installing, operating, and maintaining Wi-Fi radio equipment on cable television systems in public streets, roads, and alleys.

• Prohibits licensing authorities from levying taxes, rents, fees, or charges on cable operators for the use of public streets, roads, and alleys to provide Wi-Fi radio equipment services, though fees may be charged on revenue from those services.

• Adds new section 9-584 to authorize telecommunications corporations and cable operators to install, operate, and maintain microcell equipment in public highways on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis upon application.

• Establishes that application, permit, and recurring fees for microcell equipment must be competitively neutral, nondiscriminatory, and directly related to administrative costs incurred by political subdivisions.

• Declares that the legislation is necessary as a matter of statewide concern to ensure compatible management of public highways, streets, roads, and alleys for licensed and unlicensed wireless communication services.