§440G-7  Cable franchise application or
proposal procedure; public hearing; notice.  An application or proposal for
a cable franchise shall be [processed] as follows:



(1)  After the application or proposal and required
fee are received by the director and within a time frame established by rule,
the director shall notify an applicant in writing of the acceptance or
nonacceptance for filing of an application or proposal for issuance of a cable
franchise required by this chapter;



(2)  After the issuance of a notice of acceptance for
filing and within a time frame established by rule, the director shall hold a
public hearing on the application or proposal to afford interested persons the
opportunity to submit data, views, or arguments, orally or in writing.  Notice
thereof shall be given to the governing council and mayor of the county and to
any telephone or other utility and cable company in the county in which the
proposed service area is located.  The director shall also give public notice
of the application and hearing at least once in each of two successive weeks in
the county in which the proposed service area is located.  The last notice
shall be given at least fifteen days prior to the date of the hearing;



(3)  After holding a public hearing, the director
shall approve the application or proposal in whole or in part, with or without
conditions or modifications, or shall deny the application or proposal, with
reasons for denial sent in writing to the applicant.  If the director does not
take final action after the issuance of a notice of acceptance for filing and
within a time frame established by rule, the application or proposal shall be
deemed denied; and



(4)  The time limit for final action may be extended,
on the director's approval of the applicant's request and justification in
writing for an extension of time to the director at least two weeks in advance
of the requested effective date of the extension, or by mutual agreement. [L
1970, c 112, pt of §1; am L 1987, c 301, §7; am L 1998, c 2, §101]