Here’s [PDF] the text from the today’s committee substitute for S.1004 (the “Level Playing Field Act.”). Note the commercial incumbent-friendly language.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2009
S D
SENATE BILL 1004*
PROPOSED COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE S1004-PCS55370-RL-33
Short Title: Level Playing Field/Cities/Service Providers. (Public)
Sponsors:
Referred to:
March 26, 2009
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE REVENUE LAWS STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY
3 LOCAL GOVERNMENT OWNED AND OPERATED COMMUNICATION SERVICES.
4 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
5 SECTION 1. The Revenue Laws Study Committee shall study local government
6 owned and operated communication services. The Committee may propose legislation, if
7 appropriate, to regulate the operation of local government owned and operated communication
8 services. In making this study, the Committee shall consider:
9 (1) The private and public costs and the benefits of providing communication
services through a private communication services provider compared to a
10
11 local government owned communication services provider, including the
12 effect on competition, infrastructure deployment and investment by private
13 providers, the implementation of new technologies, existing and future jobs,
14 actual economic development prospects, tax-based growth, education, and
15 public health.
16 The regulatory structures applicable to the provision of communication
(2)
17 services by local government owned communication services providers as
18 compared to the regulatory structures applicable to the provision of
19 communication services by private providers.
20 (3) The effect of competition from local government owned and operated
21 communication services on privately owned communication services.
22 (4) The impact on State and local tax revenues from competition by local
23 government owned communication services providers with private
24 providers.
25 (5) The extent of communication services currently offered by local
26 governments and the manner in which the capital and operational costs of
27 such services are funded.
28 SECTION 2. The Committee shall report its findings and recommendations,
29 including any proposed legislation, to the 2010 Regular Session of the 2009 General Assembly.
30 SECTION 3. This act is effective when it becomes law.
*S1004-PCS55370-RL-33*