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Committee advances Mississippi Video Service Act to create statewide video franchise aimed at speeding rural broadband
Summary
Committee members heard that a statewide franchise option would expedite federally funded rural broadband projects by standardizing franchise terms and capping fees at 5%; local permitting and right-of-way authority would remain in place under negotiated compromises.
The committee considered House Bill 1664, the Mississippi Video Service Act, which would create a statewide franchise option for cable companies to speed federally funded rural broadband deployment.
The chair told the committee Mississippi has received over $1 billion in federal funding for rural broadband and that a statewide franchise issued by the secretary of state could avoid delays caused by local franchise negotiations. "Mississippi received over 1,000,000,000 in federal funding for broadband deployment in rural areas," the chair said, and the bill would cap statewide franchise fees at up to 5% of gross video revenue while preserving local permitting and rights-of-way requirements.
Committee members asked where statewide fees would be directed and whether local municipalities would lose revenue; the chair said the statewide fee replaces municipal franchise fees and discussions remain about how funds are allocated. The committee adopted a strike-all and reported the bill after the cable association and Municipal League negotiated compromises on amendments and local permitting protections.
