A bill to require automatic refunds to a customer if their cable or internet is out for more than 24 hours during a declared disaster is dead for the session. The Senate rejected the proposal on a 23-15 vote.
Houma Senator Mike Fesi is concerned this proposal could actually result in higher cable and internet bills.
“Isn’t it going to cost those companies a lot more money to try and calculate that and trying to figure out who owes what, isn’t that going to be a problem,” said Fesi.
Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields argued customers should never be forced to pay for a service they do not receive.
But River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says just because your cable is out on your television, some providers offer other ways to watch.
“Am I going to reimburse too, even though I’m watching on my phone or my computer, or does this bill take into account that some people might be streaming this service, I know Cox Communications, you can watch Cox on your phone,” said Talbot.
There’s a push to increase broadband internet in rural areas and Minden Senator Robert Mills expressed concern this measure could impact those efforts.
“Is this going to be one more hurdle if our cable providers are tied up in a federal court or whatever court dealing with this,” said Mills.
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