The Town may regulate all rates and charges except to the extent it is prohibited from doing so by law, and if the Town does exercise its rate regulatory authority, no rate or charge may be imposed or increased without the prior approval of the Town except such rates and charges that the Town is prohibited from regulating. Subject to the foregoing, any change made without prior approval is an illegal change, and a grantee is prohibited from requesting or requiring a subscriber to pay an illegal rate as a condition of providing service. This section shall not be construed to mean that any grantee has consented or will consent to subject itself to rate regulation.
All rates that are subject to regulation by the Town must be reasonable. The Town may adopt such regulations, procedures, and standards as it deems necessary to implement rate regulation and may regulate rates by amendment to this chapter, by a separate resolution or ordinance, by amendment to a franchise agreement, or in any other lawful manner. This section shall not be construed to mean that any grantee has consented or will consent to subject itself to rate regulation.
A. 
Advance notice of rate changes. At least 30 days prior to implementing any increases in rates, or changes in channel positions, programming or service terms or conditions, a grantee shall provide the Town and each subscriber with written notice describing any such changes it plans to make and the proposed effective dates for the changes. A grantee shall not be required to provide 30 days' notice of rate decreases or temporary promotional offers that result in lower rates for subscribers, provided that it has given the Town notice of such decreases and offers prior to implementation.
B. 
Explanation of rate changes. In addition to the required notice, before it alters services or service terms or conditions, a grantee must provide a reasonably simple and clear written notice explaining the substance and full effect of the alteration, including the effect on rates and service options and the effect of the change on the use of other consumer electronic equipment. Such written notice shall be provided to the Town at least 30 days, and to subscribers at least 30 days, before the change.
C. 
Changes made without required notice invalid. Any change made without the required 30 days' notice shall be of no force or effect, and a grantee shall be obligated to refund any increased amount collected without the required 30 days' notice and to restore service to the prior existing status, at least until the required notice is provided. This subsection shall not limit the right of a grantee to implement any rate decreases or temporary promotional offers that result in lower rates for subscribers immediately upon providing written notice of these rate changes to the Town. This subsection shall not be interpreted to limit the Town's right to exercise its rate regulation authority under § 46-70 of this chapter, the availability of remedies under applicable laws or regulations, or rights under the customer service standards set forth in Article XII of this chapter.