Connecticut House Bill HB05640

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/23
• Refer: 1/18/23

Caption

An Act Concerning The Removal Of Service Cables.

Impact

By establishing a clear deadline for the removal of service cables, HB05640 seeks to enhance property rights for customers, ensuring they have a cleaner and more organized space after discontinuing service. This legislation could potentially lead to more efficient operations for service providers, as they must promptly manage the removal of infrastructure deemed unnecessary by the customer. Furthermore, it empowers municipalities to enforce compliance, fostering a greater sense of local governance in dealing with telecommunications companies.

Summary

House Bill 05640 aims to regulate the removal of service cables by cable and telecommunications companies from customers' properties following the termination of service. The bill mandates that these companies must remove their service cables within thirty days after a customer has terminated their service. In circumstances where they fail to comply with this timeline, the bill grants municipalities the authority to impose fines of ten dollars for each day the cables remain on the property beyond the thirty-day grace period. This is intended to ensure that homeowners are not left with unwanted cables cluttering their properties after switching service providers.

Contention

While the bill supports customer protection and local autonomy, it might face contention from service providers concerned about the logistics and costs associated with the rapid removal of cables. These companies might argue that a thirty-day window is insufficient given the varied conditions that might exist at different sites. Moreover, the penalty mechanism could be contested as an additional financial burden that may complicate service company operations. As discussions progress, there may be differing opinions on whether this regulatory approach effectively addresses the needs of consumers without imposing undue challenges on service providers.