Fiscal Note
There may be a small increase in General Fund revenues derived from fines and forfeitures.
Title
Creating Section 36.06 and amending Section 1.08(3)(a) of the Madison General Ordinances to make theft of cable and satellite services enforceable as a violation in the City of Madison.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: A similar ordinance previously existed in Madison but was eventually repealed due to changes in franchising rules. The State has handled prosecution for theft of cable and satellite services since that time, but enforcement at the local level is believed to be more efficient. Theft of cable and satellite services brings an overall rise in costs for those who have legitimate service subscriptions. This ordinance is similar to Wis. Stat. § 943.46 and adopts § 943.47. The penalties are similar to those for retail theft and include a provision for restitution.
***********************************************************************************
The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
1. Section 36.06 entitled “Theft of Cable and Satellite Cable Programming” of the Madison General Ordinances is created to read as follows:
“36.06 THEFT OF CABLE AND SATELLITE CABLE PROGRAMMING.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally:
(a) Obtain or attempt to obtain video service without paying all lawful compensation to the operator of such service, by means of artifice, trick, deception or device; or
(b) Assist another person in obtaining or attempting to obtain video service without paying all lawful compensation to the operator of such service; or
(c) Connect to, tamper with or otherwise interfere with any cable, wire or other device used for the distribution of a video service if the effect of such action is the obtaining of a video service without paying all lawful compensation therefore; or
(d) Sell, use, manufacture, rent or offer for sale, rental or use any device, plan or kit designed and intended to obtai...
Click here for full text