(1) The Legislature intends that this chapter be consistent with the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, 47 USC Section 521 et seq., as it existed on January 1, 2026.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, this chapter shall not be interpreted to prevent a video service provider, a political subdivision, or a franchising entity from entering into a negotiated franchise agreement with a political subdivision or seeking clarification of its rights and obligations under federal or state law or to exercise a right or authority under federal or state law.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to abrogate, limit or supersede the rights afforded to cable television operators pursuant to Title VI of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 USC Section 521 et seq.).
(4) This chapter does not limit, abrogate, or supersede Article 7, Chapter 9, Title 77, Mississippi Code of 1972, regarding telecommunications service in the state, and does not require a telephone corporation to get a certificate of franchise authority or local authorization under this chapter to permit the telephone corporation to construct, upgrade, operate, or maintain its telecommunications system to provide telecommunications service.
(5) The regulation of a person holding a certificate of franchise authority shall be exclusive to the Secretary of State, except with respect to the management and control of public rights-of-way by political subdivisions.
(6) A person holding a certificate of franchise authority shall not be required to obtain an additional franchise from a political subdivision to provide video service within the political subdivision. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the authority of a political subdivision to require direct costs for reasonable permits, approvals, inspections, bonding, insurance or cost-based fees necessary to manage and protect the public rights-of-way and the public health, safety and welfare.