Sec. 66.014. DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED. (a) The purpose of this section is to prevent discrimination among potential residential subscribers.
(b) A cable service provider or video service provider that has been granted a state-issued certificate of franchise authority may not deny access to service to any group of potential residential subscribers because of the income of the residents in the local area in which such group resides.
(c) An affected person may seek enforcement of the requirements described by Subsection (b) by initiating a proceeding with the commission. A municipality within which the potential residential cable service or video service subscribers referenced in Subsection (b) may be considered an affected person for purposes of this section.
(d) The holder of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority shall have a reasonable period of time to become capable of providing cable service or video service to all households within the designated franchise area as defined in Section 66.003(b)(4) and may satisfy the requirements of this section through the use of an alternative technology that provides comparable content, service, and functionality.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the commission has the authority to make the determination regarding the comparability of the technology and the service provided. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the commission has the authority to monitor the deployment of cable services, video services, or alternate technology.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., 2nd C.S., Ch. 2 (S.B. 5), Sec. 27, eff. September 7, 2005.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 2 - Public Utility Regulatory Act
Subtitle C - Telecommunications Utilities
Chapter 66 - State-Issued Cable and Video Franchise
Section 66.001. Franchising Authority
Section 66.003. State Authorization to Provide Cable Service or Video Service
Section 66.004. Eligibility for Commission-Issued Franchise
Section 66.006. In-Kind Contributions to Municipality
Section 66.008. Customer Service Standards
Section 66.009. Public, Educational, and Governmental Access Channels
Section 66.010. Nondiscrimination by Municipality
Section 66.011. Municipal Police Power; Other Authority
Section 66.012. Indemnity in Connection With Right-of-Way; Notice of Liability
Section 66.013. Municipal Authority