§ 10-1-302. Purpose and intent.

The Legislature finds that: (1) the energy industry has previously been highly regulated and monopolistic; (2) municipalities have historically raised town or city, respectively, general fund revenues by collecting franchise and business license revenues from the energy industry; (3) substantial restructuring of the energy industry has created an opportunity for increased competition within the energy industry; (4) the restructuring of the energy industry has diminished the effectiveness and fairness of the revenues collected by municipalities; (5) to provide for a stable revenue source for municipalities and to create a more competitive environment for the energy industry, it is necessary to enact taxing authority for municipalities that accomplishes those goals; and (6) this part does not alter or affect the municipalities' authority to grant or regulate franchises, or to control municipal streets, highways, or other property.