HB1384: HB1384 Local government; require municipalities to remit a portion of revenue generated through certain franchise agreements to the county in which they are located

26 LC 56 0600 House Bill 1384 By: Representatives Scoggins of the 14th, Efstration of the 104th, Burchett of the 176th, Kelley of the 16th, Cannon of the 172nd, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 36-34-2 of the Official Code of Georgia A nnotated, relating to1 powers relating to administration of government generally, so as to require municipalities to2 remit a portion of revenue generated through certain franchise agreements to the county in3 which they are located; to provide for related matters; to repe al conflicting laws; and for4 other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Code Section 36-34-2 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to powers relating8 to administration of government generally, is amended by revising paragraph (7) as follows:9 "(7)(A) The power to grant franchises to or make contracts with railroads, street10 railways, or urban transportation companies, electric light or power companies, gas11 companies, steam-heat companies, telephone companies, water companies, and other12 public utilities for the use and occupancy of the streets of th e city, for the purpose of13 rendering utility services, upon such conditions and for such t ime as the governing14 authority of the municipal corporation may deem wise and subject to the Constitution15 and the general laws of this state.16 H. B. 1384 - 1 - 26 LC 56 0600 (B) The amount of fees collected from customers of public utilities or companies as a17 result of franchise agreements or contracts authorized by this paragraph shall be18 itemized on bills or invoices transmitted to customers for util ity services. The19 requirements of this subparagraph shall not apply to fees that are included in the20 system-wide charges or base rates of a public utility or company subject to a franchise21 agreement or contract.22 (C) Each municipality shall remit 25 percent of the total reve nue generated from23 franchise agreements or contracts with electric light or power companies authorized by24 this paragraph to the county in which such municipality is located. For municipalities25 located in more than one county, the total amount remitted to t he counties shall be26 divided pro rata based on each county's population according to the most recent United27 States decennial census with each county's population including only the28 unincorporated population of the county."29 SECTION 2.30 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.31 H. B. 1384 - 2 -