New Jersey § 48:5a-28
Full text of New Jersey New Jersey Statutes § 48:5a-28, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 48:5a-28.
Each application for a municipal consent or system-wide franchis e shall contain: a. A description of the initial area to be served. b. A description of the proposed service in terms of the number of channels of cable
television reception service. c. Sufficient evidence that the applicant has the financial and technical capacity and the legal, character and other qualifications
to construct, maintain and operate the necessary installations, lines and equipment
and to provide the service proposed in a safe, adequate and proper manner. d. Evidence of sufficient bond, or commitment therefor, with sureties to be approved
by the office , in the penal sum of not less than $25,000 for the faithful performance of all undertakings by the applicant as represented in the application; the sufficiency of which shall be subject to
review by the director and approval by the board. e. An undertaking to hold the board and all municipalities served harmless from any liability arising out of the applicant's operation and construction of its CATV system. f. Evidence of sufficient insurance insuring the board, all municipalities served and the applicant with respect to all liability for any death, personal injury, property damage or
other liability arising out of the applicant's construction and operation of its CATV system; the sufficiency of which shall be
subject to review by the director and approval by the board. Such insurance shall be no less than: (1) $150,000 for bodily injury or death to any one person, within the limit, however, of $500,000 for bodily injury or death resulting from any one accident, (2) $100,000 for property damage resulting from any one accident, and (3) $50,000 for all other types of liability ; the sufficiency of which shall be subject to review by the director and approval
by the board . g. A schedule of proposed rates for cable television reception service, which rates
shall not be altered during the term for which the municipal consent is issued, except
by application to the board for amendment of the terms and conditions of said consent
after public hearing, subject to the rules of the office, review by the director and
approval by the board, or amendment pursuant to the provisions of subsection b. of section 11 of P.L.1972, c. 186 ( C.48:5A-11 ) . h. (1) With regard only to applications for a system-wide franchise, a commitment
as to those municipalities that are served by a CATV company at the time of the application,
to match or surpass any line extension policy operative at the time the system-wide
franchise is granted and placed into effect prior to the enactment of P.L.2006, c. 83 ( C.48:5A-25.1 et al.) by a local franchise or certificate of approval, for the duration of the
system- wide franchise. In any event, the CATV company shall extend its plant along public rights-of-way
to all residences and businesses within 150 aerial feet of the CATV company's existing
plant at no cost beyond the normal installation rate, and to all residences and businesses
within 100 underground feet of the CATV company's plant at no cost beyond the normal
installation rate, and shall set a minimum house per mile density of not less than
35 homes per square mile. (2) This commitment shall be in addition to any and all board orders and rules that
impact upon the extension of plant, except that such commitment shall supersede the
board's regulations adopted as N.J.A.C. 14:3-8.1 et seq. , which shall not apply to CATV companies, including telecommunications service providers
that have obtained a system-wide franchise. i. With regard only to applications for a system-wide franchise, a commitment to provide
to each municipality that is served by a CATV company, with two public, educational
and governmental access channels. In the event that two or more access channels are requested by a municipality, the
municipality shall demonstrate that its cable-related needs require the provision
of such additional access channels. Any and all CATV companies operating in a municipality shall provide interconnection
to all other CATV companies on reasonable terms and conditions, and the board shall
adopt regulations for procedures by which disputes between such CATV companies shall
be determined and expeditiously resolved. Each municipality or its non-profit designee shall assume responsibility for the
management, operations and programming of the public, educational and governmental
access channels. j. With regard only to applications for a system-wide franchise, a commitment to install
and retain or provide, without charge, one service outlet activated for basic service
to any and all fire stations, public schools, police stations, public libraries, and
other such buildings used for municipal purposes. k. With regard only to applications for a system-wide franchise, a commitment to provide
free Internet service, without charge, through one service outlet activated for basic
service to any and all fire stations, public schools, police stations, public libraries,
and other such buildings used for municipal purposes. l . With regard only to applications for a system-wide franchise, a commitment to provide
equipment and training for access users, without charge, on a schedule to be agreed
upon between the municipality and the CATV company. m. With regard only to applications for a system-wide franchise, a commitment to provide
a return feed from any one location in the municipality, without charge, to the CATV
company's headend or other location of interconnection to the cable television system
for public, educational or governmental use, which return feed, at a minimum, provides
the ability for the municipality to cablecast live or taped access programming, in
real time, as may be applicable, to the CATV company's customers in the municipality. No CATV company is responsible for providing a return access feed unless a municipality
requests such a feed in writing. A CATV company that has interconnected with another CATV company may require the
second CATV company to pay for half of the CATV company's absorbed costs for extension. n. With regard only to applications for a system-wide franchise, a commitment to meet
any consumer protection requirements applicable, pursuant to board regulations, to
cable television companies operating under certificates of approval.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Jersey § 48:5a-28
What does New Jersey Statutes § 48:5a-28 cover?
Section 48:5a-28 is part of the New Jersey Statutes, the codified statutory law of New Jersey. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite New Jersey § 48:5a-28?
A common citation format is "New Jersey Statutes § 48:5a-28" (New Jersey). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of New Jersey law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the New Jersey official source linked on this page or consult a licensed New Jersey attorney.
How does New Jersey § 48:5a-28 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in New Jersey can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in New Jersey.