S 638

Abstract

A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 5 TO CHAPTER 11, TITLE 58 SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES DEPLOYMENT ACT"; TO MAKE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; TO DEFINE RELEVANT TERMS; TO PROVIDE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT UNITS OF STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT "AUTHORITIES" WITH CONTROL OVER RIGHTS OF WAY MAY NOT PROHIBIT, REGULATE, OR CHARGE FOR THE COLLOCATION OF CERTAIN SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES; TO PROVIDE THAT SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES MUST BE CLASSIFIED AS PERMITTED USES AND NOT SUBJECT TO ZONING REVIEW AND APPROVAL UNDER SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES; TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS, FEES, APPLICATION REVIEW, AND ISSUANCE OF PERMITS FOR COLLOCATION OF SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES; TO REQUIRE AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW THE COLLOCATION OF SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES ON AUTHORITY UTILITY POLES UNDER SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES; TO PROHIBIT AUTHORITIES FROM REGULATING THE DESIGN, ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION, INSTALLATION, OR OPERATION OF ANY SMALL WIRELESS FACILITY IN SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT HAS JURISDICTION TO RESOLVE ALL DISPUTES ARISING UNDER THE ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT AN AUTHORITY FROM REQUIRING A WIRELESS PROVIDER TO INDEMNIFY THE AUTHORITY OR ITS OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES AND FROM NAMING THE AUTHORITY AS AN ADDITIONAL INSURED ON A WIRELESS PROVIDER'S INSURANCE POLICY.