North Carolina General Statutes 66-351. State franchising authority
Terms Used In North Carolina General Statutes 66-351
- state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories, so called; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the said district and territories and all dependencies. See North Carolina General Statutes 12-3
(a) Authority. – The Secretary of State is designated the exclusive franchising authority in this State for cable service provided over a cable system. This designation replaces the authorization to counties and cities in former N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-137 and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 160A-319 to award a franchise for cable service. This designation is effective January 1, 2007. After this date, a county or city may not award or renew a franchise for cable service.
(b) Award and Scope. – The Secretary is considered to have awarded a franchise to a person who files a notice of franchise under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 66-352 A franchise for cable service authorizes the holder of the franchise to construct and operate a cable system over public rights-of-way within the area to be served. Chapter 160A of the N.C. Gen. Stat. governs the regulation of public rights-of-way by a city. (2006-151, s. 1.)