House Bill 156 Summary

• Creates the Idaho Video Service Act by establishing a statewide franchising system where video service providers obtain a certificate of franchise authority from the Idaho Secretary of State rather than local franchises, with an initial 10-year term renewable for additional 10-year periods.

• Requires video service providers to maintain $500,000 in liability insurance, file with the Federal Communications Commission, and provide access to video service to at least one household within their service area within 24 months of receiving certification.

• Establishes a video service provider fee payable quarterly to political subdivisions equal to the percentage paid by incumbent cable providers or 5%, whichever is less, calculated as a percentage of gross revenues as defined in the statute.

• Prohibits local governments from discriminating against certificate holders in accessing public rights-of-way and limits permit fees to actual costs incurred; prevents discrimination among potential residential subscribers based on income.

• Requires system operators to designate one or more channels for public, educational, or governmental (PEG) use equal to those activated by incumbent cable providers, with maximum of two channels for jurisdictions over 50,000 population and one channel for smaller jurisdictions.