AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN PARTICIPATION OF RATE-REGULATED ELECTRIC UTILITIES IN THE EXPANSION OF BROADBAND SERVICES IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; TO AMEND SECTION 77-3-2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DECLARE THAT IT IS THE POLICY OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO SUPPORT EXPANSION OF EXISTING AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES TO FOSTER RELIABLE AND RESILIENT SERVICE AND CUSTOMER ACCESS TO ENHANCED SERVICES; TO AMEND SECTION 77-3-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE DEFINITIONS OF "BROADBAND SERVICE PROVIDER," "BROADBAND OPERATOR" AND "ELECTRIC DELIVERY SYSTEM"; TO AMEND SECTION 77-3-44, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE FIBER-OPTIC INFRASTRUCTURE AS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY, TO ALLOW RATE-REGULATED ELECTRIC UTILITIES TO PERMIT BROADBAND PROVIDERS USE OF THE ELECTRIC DELIVERY SYSTEM TO PROVIDE BROADBAND SERVICES, TO REGULATE EASEMENTS, TO ALLOW CERTAIN ENTITIES TO CONSTRUCT FIBER-OPTIC INFRASTRUCTURE ON PUBLIC UTILITIES' EXISTING RIGHTS-OF-WAY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 77-3-2, 77-3-3, 77-3-44
Committee Substitute: 77-3-3, 77-3-44
As Passed by the Senate: 77-3-3, 77-3-44
Approved by the Governor: 77-3-2, 77-3-3, 77-3-44