Title
City Council Resolution Supporting House Bill 5693 to Amend Section 4 of the 2006 PA 480 to Require a Video Service Provider to Provide Public, Education, and Government Access Channels at no Extra Charge, and at the Equivalent Visual and Audio Quality, Functionality and Accessibility of Commercial Channels Carried on the Provider’s Service
Body
Whereas, In 2006, the governor signed legislation to create a uniform video franchising law (PA 480 of 2006);
Whereas, In negotiations on PA 480, it was the lawmakers intent that public, education and government (PEG) channels continue to be delivered at no extra charge to subscribers;
Whereas, It was also the lawmakers intent that the PEG Channels be deliver in a manner equivalent to the commercial channels by the video service provider;
Whereas, Some video providers intend to relocate the PEG channels, requiring additional equipment and/or fees for subscribers who wish to view the PEG channels;
Whereas, Some video providers deliver the PEG channels in a manner that is both inferior in quality and cumbersome to access;
Whereas, The result is subscribers wishing to view the PEG channels will face increased costs, inconvenience, confusion and/or the inability to receive PEG channels;
Whereas, House Bill 5693 will ensure that all video service subscribers have access to their public, education, and government channels at no additional charge; and
Whereas, House Bill 5693 will ensure that the video provider delivers PEG channels at the same quality and convenience as commercial channels;
RESOLVED, That the City Council hereby supports passage of House Bill 5693 to protect the delivery and presentation quality of the PEG channels; and
RESOLVED, That the City Council hereby urges members of the Michigan Congressional delegation to pass House Bill 5693 so there will be time for the Senate to act on it before this session ends.
Staff
Prepared by: Lisa Wondrash, Communications Unit Manager
Submitted by: Co...
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