                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

RECIPROCITY (§ 15.2-2108.26)

Upon the request by an existing cable operator in the locality, a locality that
has negotiated and granted a cable franchise to a new cable provider through
negotiation, whether before or after July 1, 2006, shall make available to that
existing cable operator the applicable terms and conditions that such locality
provides to a new cable operator, by an amendment and restatement in lieu of its
existing franchise document. In addition, upon the request by an existing cable
operator in the locality, a locality adopting an ordinance under this article
shall make available to that existing cable operator the applicable terms and
conditions from any such ordinance by opting into an ordinance cable franchise.
In either such event, the existing cable operator may accept all applicable
terms and conditions only in their entirety and in lieu of its existing
franchise document and without the ability to accept specific terms and
conditions. The locality and the existing cable operator shall amend the cable
franchise of the existing cable operator to substitute the new, applicable terms
and conditions upon notice of acceptance from the existing cable operator. An
existing cable provider in a locality shall have an enforceable right to require
that its cable franchise be amended and restated within 90 days of its request
to substitute the new, applicable terms and conditions of the new negotiated
franchise or new ordinance cable franchise granted to a new cable franchisee.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this article, (i) no existing cable
operator shall reduce the geographic area in which it actually provides cable
service as of July 1, 2006, by the exercise of its rights under this article,
but its service obligations within such service areas shall be subject to the
service exclusions set forth in clauses (a) through (i) of subdivision 12 of §
15.2-2108.22 and (ii) the provisions of this section shall not alter the time
period remaining in any unexpired, existing franchise.

HISTORY: 2006, cc. 73, 76.