The Legislature finds that:
- (1) the energy industry has previously been highly regulated and monopolistic;
- (2) municipalities have historically raised 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.