NC H403

Clarifies that electric membership corporations and municipal electric providers are exempt from section 224 of the Communications Act of 1934 regarding pole attachment regulation in North Carolina.

Requires municipalities and membership corporations owning poles to allow communications service providers to use them at "just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory rates" negotiated or adjudicated under agreed terms.

Establishes a 90-day negotiation period for parties to reach agreement on pole attachment terms, after which either party may bring an action in Business Court if no agreement is reached.

Directs Business Court to resolve disputes within 180 days, establishing rates and conditions consistent with state law and public interest, with new rates applied retroactively to the date following the negotiation period or lawsuit initiation.

Becomes effective upon enactment and applies to any action filed on or after that date.