Sponsored by:
Assemblyman R. BRUCE LAND
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Assemblyman BOB ANDRZEJCZAK
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
SYNOPSIS
Directs Office of CATV to promulgate rules and regulations concerning customers applying to establish CATV service, including requirement that customers provide two proofs of identity.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning proof of identity for the establishment of cable television service and amending P.L.1972, c.186.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 10 of P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-10) is amended to read as follows:
10. The director, with the approval of the board, shall establish, consistent with federal law, for the purpose of assuring safe, adequate, and proper cable television service, after hearing in accordance with the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), rules and regulations governing:
a. Technical standards of performance for CATV systems and the equipment and facilities thereof, including standards of maintenance and safety, not inconsistent with applicable Federal regulations;
b. The prohibition and prevention of the imposition of any unjust or unreasonable, unjustly discriminatory, or unduly preferential individual or joint rate, charge, or schedule for any service supplied or rendered by a CATV company within this State, or the adoption or imposition of any unjust or unreasonable classification in the making, or as the basis of any individual or joint rate, charge, or schedule for any service rendered by a CATV company within this State;
c. Requirements for the reasonably prompt and complete exercise of the rights conferred by any certificate, subject to revocation thereof or other penalty provided under P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.);
d. Procedures and forms for the application by a CATV company for municipal consents or for a franchise required under P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.);
e. Procedures and forms for review by the director of municipal consents or franchises issued pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.);
f. Procedures and forms for the application by CATV companies to municipalities for amendment of rates or other terms and conditions of municipal consents or franchises and, for the review by the director of the terms of such amendments, and for the resolution by the director of disputes between municipalities and CATV companies over such applications;
g. Procedures and forms for submission to and resolution by the director of complaints or disputes by or between CATV companies, municipalities, or citizens regarding proper compliance with the implementation of the provisions of P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.) or the rules and regulations made or municipal consents or franchises issued pursuant to P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.); provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section or any of the provisions of P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.), it is the intent of P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.) that all the provisions, regulations, and requirements imposed by or pursuant to P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.) shall be operative only to the extent that [the same] they are not in conflict with the laws of the United States or with any rules, regulations, or orders adopted, issued, or promulgated pursuant thereto by any [Federal] federal regulatory body having jurisdiction. No requirement, regulation, term, condition, limitation, or provision imposed by or pursuant to P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.), which is contrary to or inconsistent with any [such Federal] federal law, regulation, or order now or hereafter adopted shall be enforced by the director or shall be authority for the granting, denial, amendment, or limitation of any municipal consent or certificate of approval, which may be applied for or issued under the terms of P.L.1972, c.186 (C.48:5A-1 et seq.) ; and
h. Requirements that a customer applying to establish CATV service shall provide two satisfactory proofs of identity in original form, one of which shall be:
(1) a valid driver's license;
(2) a valid birth certificate;
(3) a valid United States passport;
(4) a valid United States residency card with photograph;
(5) a valid United States military identification card;
(6) a valid higher education student identification card; or
(7) a valid identification card issued by the State of New Jersey or any county therein.
The board, through the office, is [hereby] empowered and directed to cooperate with any [Federal] federal regulatory agency in the enforcement within this State of all [Federal] federal laws, rules, regulations, and orders relating to CATV systems and CATV companies, and therein to act as agent for [such Federal] that federal regulatory body to the extent authorized by or pursuant to [Federal] federal law, and to enter into agreements for [said] this purpose.
(cf: P.L.2006, c.83, s.7)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill directs the Office of Cable Television (CATV) to promulgate rules and regulations concerning the application by a customer for the establishment of CATV service, including a requirement that a customer is to provide two proofs of identity when applying for new CATV service.