HLS 24RS-97 ENGROSSED
2024 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 308
BY REPRESENTATIVE ADAMS
TELEVISION/CABLE: Prohibits discontinuation of cable service without prior notice
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 45:1364(E) and 1365(B)(1), relative to notice for discontinuation
3 of cable services; to provide for termination of certificates with the secretary of state;
4 to require the issuance of notice; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 45:1364(E) and 1365(B)(1) are hereby amended and reenacted to read
7as follows:
8 §1364. Certificate issued by the state; eligibility
9 * * *
10 E.(1) The certificate issued pursuant to this Chapter may be terminated by
11 the cable service provider or video service provider by submitting written notice of
12 the termination to the secretary of state.
13 (2) A cable service provider that elects to terminate a certificate pursuant to
14 this Section shall notify its customers of the end of service in writing and through
15 announcements on the cable system at least thirty days before termination of the
16 certificate is effective, if the effective date of termination is within the cable service
17 provider's control.
18 * * *
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 24RS-97 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 308
1 §1365. State franchise; effect on existing local franchise agreement
2 * * *
3 B. Any incumbent service provider shall have the option to terminate an
4 existing franchise previously issued by a local governmental subdivision and may
5 instead offer cable service or video service in such local governmental subdivision
6 under a certificate of state franchise issued by the secretary of state in accordance
7 with the provisions of R.S. 45:1364, provided the following requirements are
8 satisfied by any such incumbent service provider:
9 (1)(a) An incumbent service provider exercising its termination option shall
10 file a statement of termination with the secretary of state in the form of an affidavit
11 containing the information required by R.S. 45:1364(B) and submit copies of such
12 filing with any affected local governmental subdivision. Termination of existing
13 franchises is effective immediately upon the effective date of the certificate of state
14 franchise issued by the secretary of state.
15 (b) If a cable service provider exercises its termination option pursuant to
16 this Section, the cable service provider shall notify its customers at least thirty days
17 before termination of the certificate is effective, if the effective date of termination
18 is within the cable service provider's control. The cable service provider shall notify
19 its customers of a possible disruption of cable service as a result of the termination
20 of the certificate in writing and through announcements on the cable system.
21 * * *
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 308 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Adams
Abstract: Prohibits the discontinuation of cable service without prior notice.
Present law provides that the secretary of state shall issue a certificate authorizing an
applicant to offer cable service or video service.
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are additions. HLS 24RS-97 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 308
Present law provides that the certificate issued pursuant to present law may be terminated
by the cable service provider or video service provider by submitting written notice of the
termination to the secretary of state.
Proposed law adds that if a cable service provider elects to terminate a certificate pursuant
to present and proposed law it shall notify its customers of the end of service in writing and
through announcements on the cable system at least 30 days before termination of the
certificate is effective, if the effective date of termination is within the cable service
provider's control.
Present law states that any incumbent service provider shall have the option to terminate an
existing franchise previously issued by a local governmental subdivision and may instead
offer cable service or video service in such local governmental subdivision under a
certificate of state franchise issued by the secretary of state in accordance with the provisions
of present law and proposed law, provided that all requirements are satisfied by any such
incumbent service provider.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that an incumbent service provider exercising its termination option
shall file a statement of termination with the secretary of state in the form of an affidavit
containing the information required by present law and submit copies of such filing with any
affected local governmental subdivision. Termination of existing franchises is effective
immediately upon the effective date of the certificate of state franchise issued by the
secretary of state.
Proposed law adds that if a cable service provider exercises its termination option pursuant
to present and proposed law, the cable service provider shall notify its customers at least 30
days before termination of the certificate is effective, if the effective date of termination is
within the cable service provider's control. The cable service provider shall notify its
customers of a possible disruption of cable service as a result of the termination of the
certificate in writing and through announcements on the cable system.
(Amends R.S. 45:1364(E) and 1365(B)(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the
original bill:
1. Remove language as it relates to video service providers.
2. Clarify that a cable service provider must notify its customers of end of service
if the date of termination is within the provider's control.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.