BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- The Senate has approved a bill to give state government control over franchising television service around the state, and take that power away from local governments.
AT&T, the biggest supporter of Senator Ann Duplessis' bill, has said the change would encourage more companies to begin offering TV service in Louisiana, improving TV service, heightening competition and lowering prices for consumers.
Senators approved amendments that would require that TV service providers submit a copy of its service application to the appropriate local government, as well as to the secretary of state's office. The amendment also included a provision making a local government free from liability in the case of damages or injuries caused by the applicant's negligence.
Under the bill by Duplessis, local governments would still collect the fees -- ranging from 3 percent to 5 percent of gross receipts -- but the companies would register with the secretary of state's office instead of police juries and city councils.
Former Governor Kathleen Blanco vetoed similar legislation in 2006, citing objections from local governments concerned about loss of revenue and control of the process. The bill moves to the House.
