Public Utilities Code section 5820
(a)
Nothing in this division shall be deemed as creating a vested right in a state-issued franchise by the franchise holder or its affiliates that would preclude the state from amending the provisions that establish the terms and conditions of a franchise.(b)
Nothing in this division shall be construed to eliminate or reduce a telephone corporation’s or video service provider’s obligations under any applicable state or federal environmental protection laws. The local entity shall serve as the lead agency for any environmental review under this division and may impose conditions to mitigate environmental impacts of the applicant’s use of the public rights-of-way that may be required pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).(c)
The holder of a state franchise shall not be deemed a public utility as a result of providing video service under this division. This division shall not be construed as granting authority to the commission to regulate the rates, terms, and conditions of video services, except as explicitly set forth in this division.
Source:
Section 5820, https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PUC§ionNum=5820. (accessed Jun. 2, 2025).