Florida Senate - 2021                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. SB 1944
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì5291287Î529128                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                   Comm: RS            .                                
                  04/20/2021           .                                
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       The Committee on Appropriations (Albritton) recommended the
       following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment (with title amendment)
    2  
    3         Delete everything after the enacting clause
    4  and insert:
    5         Section 1. Paragraph (g) is added to subsection (13) of
    6  section 120.80, Florida Statutes, to read:
    7         120.80 Exceptions and special requirements; agencies.—
    8         (13) FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.—
    9         (g) Rules adopted by the Florida Public Service Commission
   10  to implement ss. 366.04(8) and (9) and 366.97 are not subject to
   11  s. 120.541.
   12         Section 2. Subsections (4) through (9) are added to section
   13  366.02, Florida Statutes, to read:
   14         366.02 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
   15         (4) “Attaching entity” means a person that is a local
   16  exchange carrier, a public utility, a communications services
   17  provider, a broadband service provider, or a cable television
   18  operator that owns or controls pole attachments.
   19         (5)“Communications services” has the same meaning as in s.
   20  202.11(1).
   21         (6)“Pole” means a pole used for electric distribution
   22  service, streetlights, communications services, local exchange
   23  services, or cable television services which is owned in whole
   24  or in part by a pole owner. The term does not include a pole
   25  used solely to support wireless communications services
   26  facilities.
   27         (7)“Pole attachment” means any attachment by a public
   28  utility, local exchange carrier communications services
   29  provider, broadband provider, or cable television operator to a
   30  pole, duct, conduit, or right-of-way owned or controlled by a
   31  pole owner.
   32         (8) “Pole owner” means a local exchange carrier, a public
   33  utility, a communications services provider, or a cable
   34  television operator that owns a pole.
   35         (9) “Redundant pole” means a pole owned or controlled by a
   36  pole owner which is:
   37         (a)Within 50 feet of a new pole that is intended to
   38  replace the old pole from which some or all of the pole
   39  attachments have not been removed and transferred to the new
   40  pole;
   41         (b)Left standing after the pole owner has relocated its
   42  facilities to underground but on which pole attachments of other
   43  attaching entities remain; or
   44         (c)Left standing after a pole owner’s attachments have
   45  been removed from that route or location to accommodate a new
   46  route or design for the delivery of service.
   47         Section 3. Subsections (8) and (9) are added to section
   48  366.04, Florida Statutes, to read:
   49         366.04 Jurisdiction of commission.—
   50         (8)(a)The commission shall regulate and enforce rates,
   51  charges, terms, and conditions for pole attachments in
   52  situations in which a pole owner is unable to reach an agreement
   53  with a party seeking pole attachments, including the types of
   54  attachments regulated under 47 U.S.C. s. 224(a)(4), attachments
   55  to streetlight fixtures, or attachments to poles owned by a
   56  communications services provider, to ensure that such rates,
   57  charges, terms, and conditions are just and reasonable. The
   58  commission’s authority under this subsection includes, but is
   59  not limited to, the state regulatory authority referenced in 47
   60  U.S.C. s. 224(c).
   61         (b) In developing such rules, the commission shall consider
   62  the interests of the subscribers and users of the services
   63  offered through such pole attachments, as well as the interests
   64  of the consumers of any pole owner providing such attachments.
   65         (c) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage
   66  parties to enter into voluntary pole attachment agreements, and
   67  this subsection may not be construed to prevent parties from
   68  voluntarily entering into pole attachment agreements without
   69  commission approval.
   70         (d) A party’s right to nondiscriminatory access to a pole
   71  under this subsection is identical to the rights afforded under
   72  47 U.S.C. s. 224(f)(1). A pole owner may deny access to its
   73  poles on a nondiscriminatory basis when there is insufficient
   74  capacity, for reasons of safety and reliability, and when
   75  required by generally applicable engineering purposes. A pole
   76  owner’s evaluation of capacity, safety, reliability, and
   77  engineering requirements must consider relevant construction and
   78  reliability standards approved by the commission and may include
   79  an evaluation of the financial and performance-related
   80  capabilities of the entity requesting attachment.
   81         (e) The commission shall hear and resolve complaints
   82  concerning rates, charges, terms, conditions, voluntary
   83  agreements, or any denial of access relative to pole attachments
   84  with regard to the types of attachments regulated under 47
   85  U.S.C. s. 224, attachments to streetlight fixtures, or
   86  attachments owned by a communications services provider. Federal
   87  Communications Commission precedent is not binding upon the
   88  commission in the exercise of its authority under this
   89  subsection. The commission shall establish cost-based rates and
   90  charges for pole attachments and shall apply the decisions and
   91  orders of the Federal Communications Commission in determining
   92  pole attachment rates unless a pole owner or attaching entity
   93  establishes by competent substantial evidence pursuant to
   94  proceedings conducted pursuant to ss. 120.569 and 120.57 that an
   95  alternative cost of service-based pole attachment rate is
   96  appropriate and in the public interest.
   97         (f) Upon commencement of its authority under this
   98  subsection, the commission, upon the request of a party to a
   99  complaint proceeding pending before the Federal Communications
  100  Commission, shall assume jurisdiction over the matter if it is
  101  not yet subject to a final order of the Federal Communications
  102  Commission at the time of the request.
  103         (g)The commission shall adopt rules by January 1, 2022, to
  104  administer and implement this subsection, including one or more
  105  appropriate formulae for apportioning costs, and shall, upon
  106  adoption of such rules, provide its certification to the Federal
  107  Communications Commission pursuant to 47 U.S.C. s. 224(c)(2).
  108         (9)(a) The commission shall regulate the safety, vegetation
  109  management, repair, replacement, maintenance, relocation,
  110  emergency response, and storm restoration requirements for
  111  poles, conduits, ducts, pipes, pole attachments, wires, cables,
  112  and related plants and equipment of communication services
  113  providers. This paragraph does not apply to a communications
  114  services provider that owns no poles.
  115         (b) The commission shall adopt rules by April 1, 2022, to
  116  administer and implement this subsection, including, but not
  117  limited to:
  118         1.Mandatory pole inspections, including repair or
  119  replacement; vegetation management requirements for poles owned
  120  by providers of communications services; and the timely removal
  121  of pole attachments; and
  122         2.Monetary penalties to be imposed upon any communications
  123  services provider that fails to comply with any such rule of the
  124  commission.
  125         (c)The commission may access the books and records of
  126  communications services providers to the limited extent
  127  necessary to perform its functions and to exercise its authority
  128  under subsection (8), this subsection, and s. 366.97(4). Upon
  129  request by a communications services provider, any records that
  130  are shown and found to be proprietary confidential business
  131  information that is confidential or exempt from disclosure under
  132  s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. 1 of the State Constitution
  133  which are received by the commission under this paragraph shall
  134  retain their confidential or exempt status when held by the
  135  commission.
  136         Section 4. Section 366.97, Florida Statutes, is created to
  137  read:
  138         366.97Redundant poles; transfer of ownership; penalties.—
  139         (1)The Legislature finds that:
  140         (a)It is in the public interest for public utilities,
  141  communications services providers, and cable television
  142  operators that own poles to harden their infrastructure to
  143  strengthen the ability of their above-ground infrastructure to
  144  withstand extreme weather conditions by, among other things,
  145  replacing older poles with newer, stronger poles; however, this
  146  work combined with the undergrounding of electrical facilities
  147  may result in redundant poles within public rights-of-way and
  148  easements for significant durations because owners of third
  149  party pole attachments may not keep pace in removing their
  150  facilities from the old poles.
  151         (b)Pole owners that set new poles are prevented from
  152  removing redundant poles when the pole attachments of other
  153  entities remain on the old poles.
  154         (c)Redundant poles in the public rights-of-way and
  155  easements are aesthetically unappealing and potentially create
  156  overcrowding of, and unsafe conditions in, the public rights-of
  157  way and easements.
  158         (d)It is in the public interest to timely remove pole
  159  attachments from redundant poles.
  160         (2)The commission by rule shall determine a process by
  161  which pole owners shall provide at least 180 calendar days’
  162  electronic or written advance notice to affected attaching
  163  entities of major hardening projects the purpose of which is to
  164  replace poles to ensure the poles meet extreme wind loading
  165  requirements. The advance hardening project notice must include:
  166         (a)The scope of the major hardening project, to the extent
  167  determined, the locations of the affected poles, the expected
  168  start date, and the expected completion date of the major
  169  hardening project; and
  170         (b)The date, time, and location of a field meeting for the
  171  pole owner and attaching entities to review and discuss the
  172  planned major hardening project details, including the types of
  173  replacement poles to be used. The field meeting must occur no
  174  sooner than 15 calendar days after the date of the notice and no
  175  later than 45 calendar days after the notice.
  176         (3)(a) An attaching entity must remove its pole attachments
  177  from a redundant pole within 180 calendar days after receipt of
  178  an electronic or a written notice from the pole owner requesting
  179  such removal. The commission shall determine by rule the
  180  sufficiency of, and requirements for, such removal notice and
  181  may consider the use of a joint use notification software
  182  program to accomplish such removal notice.
  183         (b)If an attaching entity fails to remove a pole
  184  attachment pursuant to paragraph (a), except to the extent
  185  excused by an event of force majeure or other good cause as
  186  determined by the commission, the pole owner or its agent may
  187  transfer or relocate the pole attachment to the new pole at the
  188  noncompliant attaching entity’s expense. This subsection does
  189  not apply to an electric utility’s pole attachments. The
  190  noncompliant attaching entity shall indemnify, defend, and hold
  191  harmless the pole owner and its directors, officers, agents, and
  192  employees from and against all liability, except to the extent
  193  of any finding of gross negligence or willful misconduct,
  194  including attorney fees and litigation costs, arising in
  195  connection with the transfer of the pole attachment from a
  196  redundant pole to a new pole by the pole owner.
  197         (c)If a pole attachment is no longer in use by a
  198  noncompliant attaching entity, the pole owner or its agent may
  199  remove the pole attachment at the noncompliant attaching
  200  entity’s expense and may sell or dispose of the pole attachment,
  201  except to the extent the attaching entity’s noncompliance is
  202  excused by an event of force majeure or other good cause as
  203  determined by the commission. The noncompliant attaching entity
  204  shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the pole owner and
  205  its directors, officers, agents, and employees from and against
  206  all liability, except to the extent of any finding of gross
  207  negligence or willful misconduct, including attorney fees and
  208  litigation costs, arising in connection with the removal,
  209  transfer, sale, or disposal of the pole attachments from a
  210  redundant pole by the pole owner.
  211         (d)The commission may require by rule that an attaching
  212  entity post security instruments in favor of pole owners in
  213  amounts reasonably sufficient to cover the cost of the removal,
  214  transfer, sale, or disposal of pole attachments.
  215         (4) The commission shall impose monetary penalties upon any
  216  entity subject to its jurisdiction which is found to be in
  217  violation of this section. Upon petition by a pole owner, the
  218  commission may issue orders requiring the removal or transfer of
  219  pole attachments by noncompliant attaching entities and shall
  220  impose monetary penalties in accordance with this section.
  221         (5) All monetary penalties assessed by the commission
  222  pursuant to this section must be used by the commission to
  223  provide grants for the installing and upgrading of broadband
  224  infrastructure in unserved and underserved rural and low-income
  225  areas of this state. The commission shall establish criteria for
  226  the award of grants from the fund to businesses and
  227  organizations that have demonstrated the ability to construct
  228  and install infrastructure and that have submitted an
  229  application and proposal detailing how the grant funds would
  230  further the objectives of this subsection to expand broadband
  231  services in unserved and underserved areas. The commission may
  232  disburse monies from the fund to grant recipients selected by
  233  the commission in accordance with its criteria.
  234         (6This section may not be construed to do any of the
  235  following:
  236         (a)Prevent a party at any time from entering into a
  237  voluntary agreement authorizing a pole owner to remove an
  238  attaching entity’s pole attachment. It is the intent of the
  239  Legislature to encourage parties to enter into such voluntary
  240  agreements without commission approval.
  241         (b)Impair the contract rights of a party to a valid pole
  242  attachment agreement in existence before the effective date of
  243  this act.
  244         (7) The commission shall adopt rules by April 1, 2022, to
  245  implement this section, including rules providing for the timely
  246  and coordinated removal of all pole attachments from redundant
  247  poles and establishing monetary penalties to be imposed against
  248  any entity in violation of this section.
  249         Section 5. The Division of Law Revision is directed to
  250  replace the phrase “the effective date of this act” wherever it
  251  occurs in this act with the date this act becomes a law.
  252         Section 6. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
  253  
  254  ================= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T ================
  255  And the title is amended as follows:
  256         Delete everything before the enacting clause
  257  and insert:
  258                        A bill to be entitled                      
  259         An act relating to utility and communications poles;
  260         amending s. 120.80, F.S.; exempting certain rules
  261         adopted by the Public Service Commission from
  262         legislative ratification requirements; amending s.
  263         366.02, F.S.; defining terms; amending s. 366.04,
  264         F.S.; requiring the commission to regulate and enforce
  265         rates, charges, terms, and conditions for pole
  266         attachments under certain circumstances; providing
  267         requirements for such rules; providing construction;
  268         providing situations under which a pole owner may deny
  269         access to the owner’s pole on a nondiscriminatory
  270         basis; requiring the commission to hear and resolve
  271         complaints concerning rates, charges, terms,
  272         conditions, voluntary agreements, and denial of access
  273         relative to pole attachments; requiring the commission
  274         to establish cost-based rates and charges for pole
  275         attachments and apply certain decisions and orders of
  276         the Federal Communications Commission; requiring the
  277         commission, at the request of a party, to assume
  278         jurisdiction over certain complaints before the
  279         Federal Communications Commission; requiring the
  280         commission to adopt rules by a specified date and
  281         provide certification to the Federal Communications
  282         Commission upon such adoption; requiring the
  283         commission to regulate the safety, vegetation
  284         management, repair, replacement, maintenance,
  285         relocation, emergency response, and storm restoration
  286         requirements for certain plants and equipment of
  287         communications services providers; providing an
  288         exception; requiring the commission to adopt rules,
  289         including monetary penalties, by a specified date;
  290         authorizing the commission to access the books and
  291         records of communications services providers for
  292         specified purposes; providing that such information
  293         that contains proprietary confidential business
  294         information retains its confidential or exempt status
  295         when held by the commission; creating s. 366.97, F.S.;
  296         providing legislative findings; requiring the
  297         commission by rule to create a process requiring
  298         advance hardening project notice; requiring attaching
  299         entities to remove pole attachments from redundant
  300         poles within a specified timeframe after receipt of
  301         electronic or written notice from the pole owner;
  302         requiring the commission to provide the form and
  303         requirements for such notice by rule; authorizing a
  304         pole owner or its agent to transfer or relocate pole
  305         attachments of an attaching entity at the entity’s
  306         expense under certain circumstances; providing an
  307         exception; requiring that the pole owner and its
  308         directors, officers, agents, and employees be held
  309         harmless under certain circumstances for such actions;
  310         authorizing a pole owner to remove and sell or dispose
  311         of certain abandoned pole attachments; authorizing the
  312         commission to require attaching entities to post
  313         certain security instruments by rule; requiring the
  314         commission to impose monetary penalties for
  315         violations; requiring the commission to provide grants
  316         to construct and install broadband infrastructure in
  317         this state from any monetary penalty collected;
  318         providing construction; requiring the commission to
  319         adopt rules by a specified date; providing a directive
  320         to the Division of Law Revision; providing an
  321         effective date.