(a)

(1) Each cooperative may, within its service area and with the authorization of its board, contract to establish a telecommunications joint venture with any entity for the provision of telephone, telegraph, or telecommunications services in compliance with chapters 4 and 5 of this title, and all other applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Notwithstanding § 65-4-101(6)(B) or any other provision of this code or of any private act, a telecommunication joint venture and every member of a telecommunication joint venture shall be subject to regulation by the Tennessee public utility commission in the same manner and to the same extent as other certified providers of telecommunications services, including, without limitation, rules or orders governing anti-competitive practices, and shall be considered as and have the duties of a public utility, as defined in § 65-4-101, but only to the extent necessary to effect such regulation and only with respect to the provision of telephone, telegraph and telecommunication services.

(2) Neither an electric cooperative nor any other entity participating in a telecommunications joint venture that provides such services may provide subsidies for such services. Notwithstanding the limitations set forth in the preceding sentence, an electric cooperative participating in a telecommunications joint venture may:

(A) Dedicate a reasonable portion of the electric plant to the provision of such services, the costs of which shall be allocated to such services for regulatory purposes; and

(B) Lend funds, at a rate of interest not less than the highest rate then earned by the electric cooperative on invested electric plant funds, to acquire, construct, and provide working capital for the system, plant, and equipment necessary to provide any such services; provided, that such interest costs shall be allocated to the cost of such services for regulatory purposes.

(3) To the extent that it provides such services, a telecommunications joint venture has all the powers, obligations and authority granted entities providing telecommunications services under applicable laws of the United States or this state. To the extent that such authority and powers do not conflict with chapter 4 or 5 of this title, and any rules, regulations, or orders issued thereunder, a telecommunications joint venture providing any such services shall have all the authority and powers with respect to such services as are enumerated in this chapter.

(4) If the telecommunications joint venture or any member of the telecommunications joint venture providing such service is exempt from paying federal, state, or local taxes, then for regulatory purposes, the telecommunications joint venture shall allocate to the costs of such services an amount equal to a reasonable determination of the state, local and federal taxes which would be required to be paid if the telecommunications joint venture and each of its members were not exempt from paying such taxes.

(5) This subsection (a) is not applicable to areas served by an incumbent local exchange telephone company or telephone cooperative with fewer than one hundred thousand (100,000) total access lines in this state unless such company voluntarily enters into an interconnection agreement with a competing telecommunications service provider or unless such incumbent local exchange telephone company applies for a certificate to provide telecommunications services in an area outside its service area existing on June 6, 1995, or § 65-4-201(d), is declared unconstitutional or unlawful by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable order.

(b) Each cooperative may, within its service area and with the authorization of its board, contract to establish a joint venture with any entity to provide the transmission, transportation, distribution, delivery, or sale of natural gas, or similar products; provided, that the entity with which the joint venture is established shall be engaged in such business at the time the contract to establish the joint venture is effective.