House Bill 1329 Summary

• Establishes the Mississippi Video Service Act to regulate video service providers through a statewide certificate of franchise authority system administered by the Secretary of State, effective July 1, 2020.

• Allows video service providers to operate under three options: existing franchises with political subdivisions, negotiated local franchises, or a state-issued certificate of franchise authority; certificates are nonexclusive, valid for 10 years, and renewable.

• Requires video service providers holding certificates to pay a percentage-based fee to political subdivisions where they operate, capped at 5% of gross revenue or the amount paid by incumbent providers, whichever is less.

• Mandates video service providers designate sufficient network capacity for PEG (public, education, and government) channels, up to three channels or the number activated by incumbent providers, whichever is less.

• Imposes customer service requirements including local contact numbers, informal complaint processes, and 30-day advance notice of rate or programming changes, while prohibiting discrimination based on residential income levels.