Missouri § 67.2691 - Audits authorized — availability of records, expenses — cause of action for disputes, procedure.

§ 67.2691. Audits authorized — availability of records, expenses — cause of action for disputes, procedure.

1.  A franchise entity shall have the authority to audit any video service provider, which provides video service to subscribers within the geographic area of the franchise entity, not more than once per calendar year.

2.  A video service provider shall, upon request of the franchise entity conducting an audit, make available at the location where such records are kept in the normal course of business for inspection by the franchise entity all records pertaining to gross revenues received from the provision of video services provided to consumers located within the geographic area of the franchise entity.

3.  Any expenses incurred by a franchise entity in conducting an audit of an entity holding a video service authorization shall be paid by the franchise entity.

4.  Any suit with respect to a dispute arising out of or relating to the amount of the video service provider fee allegedly due to a franchise entity under section 67.2689 shall be filed by the franchise entity seeking to recover an additional amount alleged to be due, or by a video service provider seeking a refund of an alleged overpayment, in a court of competent jurisdiction within two years following the end of the quarter to which the disputed amount relates.  Any payment that is not challenged by a franchise entity within two years after it is paid or remitted shall be deemed accepted in full payment by the franchise entity.

5.  A franchise entity shall not employ, appoint, or retain any person or entity for compensation that is dependent in any manner upon the outcome of an audit of a holder of video service authorization, including, without limitation, the audit findings or the recovery of fees or other payment by the municipality or county.  A person may not solicit or accept compensation dependent in any manner upon the outcome of any such audit, including, without limitation, the audit findings or the recovery of fees or other payment by the political subdivision or video service provider.

6.  A video service provider shall not be required to retain financial records associated with the payment of the video service provider fee for longer than three years following the end of the quarter to which such payment relates, unless a franchise entity has commenced a dispute regarding such payment in accordance with this section.

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(L. 2007 S.B. 284)

---- end of effective  28 Aug 2007 ----

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