Alabama |
HB 70 |
This bill provides a procedure for the deployment and investment of broadband infrastructure and other telecommunications
11 services near the right-of-way of railroads, including railroad crossings. |
Infrastructure |
Alabama |
HB 400
Signed by governor May 30, 2019, Act 326
|
Relates to broadband services; authorizes the placement, construction, installation, operation, and use of broadband and other advanced communication capabilities and related facilities within electric easements by electric providers; authorizes electric providers to engage in, and permits electric providers to authorize others to engage in, operating broadband systems or providing broadband services through advanced communications capabilities within electric easements; grants the right to electric providers to condemn easements and rights-of-way for advanced communications capabilities; provides for the rates and the terms and conditions of access for certain pole attachments; provides for the allocation and accounting of certain costs associated with the provision of nonutility support services; and permits consents through service agreements, licenses, leases, and membership agreements to place, construct, install, operate, and use advanced communication capabilities within an electric easement.
|
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Alabama |
SB 90
Signed by governor May 30, 2019, Act 327
|
Amends §§41-23-212, 41-23-213 and 41-23-214, Code of Alabama 1975, to change the definition of an “unserved area”, increases the percentage of project costs that may be funded through the Act, and to broaden the permitted use of other federal and state support, including loans and grants, in projects receiving grants under the Act.
|
Infrastructure, Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Alabama |
SB 159 |
This bill provides a procedure for the deployment and investment of broadband infrastructure and other telecommunications services near the right-of-way of railroads, including railroad crossings.
|
Infrastructure |
Alabama |
SJR 92
Signed by governor June 4, 2019, Act 353 |
Establishes an Advanced Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Task Force. |
Governance, Infrastructure |
Alaska |
HB 75 |
Relates to funding for Internet services for school districts; relates to the Alaska higher education investment fund. |
Education, Funding, Schools |
Alaska |
HB 166 |
Changes the definition of an unserved area; increases the percentage of project costs that may be funded through the Act; broadens the permitted use of federal support, including loans and grants, in projects receiving grants under the Act. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Alaska |
SB 74 |
Relates to funding for internet services for school districts |
Education, Funding, Schools |
Alaska |
SB 81 |
Relates to electric and telephone cooperatives; relates to telephone service and related telecommunications services. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Arizona |
None |
|
|
Arkansas |
HB 1826
Signed by governor April 8, 2019, Act 792 |
Amends the law concerning the state broadband manager; provides that the governor shall designate the manager. |
Governance |
Arkansas |
HB 1874
Signed by governor April 8, 2019, Act 797 |
Establishes the Small Wireless Facility Deployment Act in order to develop strong wireless and broadband communications networks throughout the state. |
Infrastructure |
Arkansas |
SB 150
Signed by governor Feb. 26, 2019, Act 198 |
Amends the Telecommunications Regulatory Reform Act; provides additional access to Federal Communications Commission defined broadband service; provides that after reasonable notice to the public, a government entity may, on its own or in partnership with a private entity, apply for funding under a program for grants or loans to be used for the construction, acquisition, or leasing of facilities, land, or buildings used to deploy broadband service in unserved areas. |
Municipal |
Arkansas |
SB 602
Signed by governor April 15, 2019, Act 999 |
Establishes the Small Wireless Facility Deployment Act. |
Infrastructure |
Arkansas |
SB 683
Signed by governor April 17, 2019, Act 1091 |
Abolishes the State Broadband Council, the State Youth Suicide Prevention Task Force, the Grade A Milk Program Advisory Committee, and the Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park Advisory Commission. |
Governance |
California |
AB 417
Vetoed by governor Oct. 12, 2019 |
Enacts the Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Food and Agriculture to carry out various activities to support rural communities and further the development of rural agricultural economies in California, including, among other things, consulting with government agencies and members of the public and private sectors to identify opportunities and partnerships to further the development of rural agricultural economies, and disseminating information on the department's website. |
Rural and Underserved |
California |
AB 488
Signed by governor Oct. 2, 2019, Chapter 426 |
Existing law establishes the California Broadband Council in state government for the purpose of promoting broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas of the state and broadband adoption throughout the state, imposes specified duties on the council relating to that purpose, and specifies the membership of the council. Adds the secretary of Food and Agriculture, or the secretary's designee, the state librarian, or the librarian's designee, and the governor's tribal advisor, or the advisor's designee, to the membership of the council.
|
Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Colorado |
SB 107
Signed by governor June 3, 2019, Chapter 424 |
Authorizes an electric utility or other electricity supplier to install and maintain above ground broadband internet service infrastructure for internal use, for external use in providing broadband internet service, or for lease of any excess capacity to a broadband internet service provider; authorizes a provider to enter into a contract with a landowner to access an electric utility's existing easement on the landowner's private property if certain conditions are met; provides definitions. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Connecticut |
HB 5745
Failed Joint Favorable deadline April 1, 2019 |
Concerns the creation of enterprise funds for municipal broadband services; allows municipalities to create enterprise funds for municipal broadband services. |
Funding, Municipal |
Connecticut |
HB 6424
Failed Joint Favorable deadline March 21, 2019 |
Requires the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority to develop standards for the process for attaching equipment to utility poles for owners of utility poles and people who occupy and use utility poles. |
Infrastructure |
Connecticut |
HB 6838
Failed Joint Favorable deadline March 21, 2019 |
Specifies that municipalities may use a municipal gain to provide broadband Internet access service to the public either directly or through a third party provider. |
Municipal |
Connecticut |
HB 7152
Signed by governor July 9, 2019, Public Act 19-163 |
This act establishes a seven-member Council on 5G Technology and tasks it with (1) reviewing requests from wireless carriers and other permitted entities to place personal wireless service facilities (e.g., cell towers) and small wireless (i.e., “small cell”) facilities on certain state-owned real property and (2) determining which state-owned properties may be made available for these facilities. Among other things, the council must (1) adopt guidelines for safely placing the facilities and protecting open space land and (2) perform due diligence in reviewing the requests. If the council approves a request, it must submit the approved request to the applicable state agency, which then must execute a telecommunications license agreement (which the act requires to be developed) with the approved carrier or entity. The act exempts from the council’s jurisdiction properties owned by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and certain properties owned by the Department of Transportation (DOT). It establishes separate processes for wireless carriers and permitted entities to request using these properties to site their wireless facilities. The act requires the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) and certain other state agencies to jointly develop licensing agreements, forms, and fee structures for placing wireless facilities on state-owned property. The act also specifies that it does not supersede existing rules and requirements requiring the review and approval of permits for proposed personal wireless service facilities under the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) and the Connecticut Siting Council’s jurisdiction. Lastly, the act requires OPM, in consultation with PURA and certain other state agencies, to work with municipalities and wireless industry representatives to encourage establishing a streamlined process for siting small wireless facilities on municipal property. OPM must submit its recommendations for establishing this process to the Energy and Technology Committee by Jan. 30, 2020.
|
Infrastructure |
Connecticut |
SB 221
Failed Joint Favorable deadline March 21, 2019 |
Studies how to give access to higher speed internet service to businesses and residents of the state. |
High Speed |
Connecticut |
SB 846 |
This bill requires the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to adopt regulations establishing a process for public utility pole attachments, including fifth-generation telecommunications infrastructure (i.e., 5G) and fiber wires for high-speed broadband Internet infrastructure. Existing law gives municipalities the right to occupy and use, at no cost, one gain (i.e., location to place a wire) on each utility pole for any purpose. In 2018, a PURA decision held that municipalities may not use this gain to provide broadband services, either directly or through a commercial arrangement with a third party. The bill reverses, in part, PURA’s decision by allowing municipalities to provide broadband Internet service, either directly or through commercial arrangements with third parties. However, under the bill, if a municipality sells its right to occupy and use the gain to a third party, private, for-profit company, the company must pay any public utility pole administration or attachment fees that would apply if the company were not using the municipal gain. The bill also allows municipalities to establish and administer an “Enterprise Fund for Municipal Broadband Services” as a separate, nonlapsing enterprise fund to receive any revenues related to the use, operation, and management of municipal broadband services, among other things.
|
Infrastructure, Municipal |
Delaware |
None |
|
|
District of Columbia |
None |
|
|
Florida |
HB 671
Died in committee May 3, 2019 |
Relates to regional rural development grants; defines the term regional economic development organization; specifies that the concept of building the professional capacity of a regional economic development organization includes the hiring of professional staff to perform specified services. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Florida |
HB 693
Laid on table May 1, 2019 |
Relates to communications services; reduces the communications services tax rate levied on sales of communications services; revises the authority for municipalities and counties to impose permit fees on providers of communications services that use or occupy municipal or county roads or rights of way; deletes the procedures, requirements, and limitations with respect to such fees; conforms provisions to changes made by the act. |
Taxes |
Florida |
SB 596
Died in messages May 3, 2019 |
Relates to regional rural development grants; defines the term regional economic development organization; specifies that the concept of building the professional capacity of a regional economic development organization includes the hiring of professional staff to perform specified services; provides that matching grants may be used to provide technical assistance to local governments and economic development organizations and to existing and prospective businesses. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Florida |
SB 1000
Signed by governor June 25, 2019, Chapter 131 |
Relates to communications services; specifies limitations and prohibitions on municipalities and counties relating to registrations and renewals of communications service providers; authorizes municipalities and counties to require certain information as part of a registration; prohibits municipalities and counties from requiring a payment of fees, costs, or charges for provider registration or renewal; specifies limitations on municipal and county authority to regulate rights of way. |
|
Georgia |
HB 22 |
Relates to public utilities and public transportation, so as to specifically authorize telephone cooperatives and their broadband affiliates to provide broadband services; provides for definitions; authorizes certain financing and partnerships for the provision of broadband services; provides for related matters; provides for an effective date; repeals conflicting laws. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Georgia |
HB 23
Passed House Feb. 11, 2019 |
Relates to public utilities and public transportation, so as to specifically authorize electric membership corporations and their affiliates to provide broadband services; provides for definitions; authorizes certain financing and partnerships for the provision of broadband services; prohibits cross‑subsidization between the provision of broadband services and an electric membership corporation's natural gas activities or electricity services activities; provides for related matters. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Georgia |
HB 100 |
Relates to public utilities and public transportation; authorizes electric membership corporations and their affiliates to provide broadband services; provides for definitions; authorizes certain financing and partnerships for the provision of broadband services; prohibits cross‑subsidization between the provision of broadband services and an electric membership corporations natural gas activities or electricity services activities; provides for related matters. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Georgia |
HB 184
Passed House Feb. 14, 2019 |
Enacts the Streamlining Wireless Facilities and Antennas Act; streamlines the deployment of wireless broadband in the public rights of way; addresses any perceived conflicts between this Act and Chapter 66B of Title 36; provides that nothing in this Act relieves any person of any duties provided for in Chapter 9 of Title 25; provides for related matters; provides for effective dates; repeals conflicting laws. |
Infrastructure |
Georgia |
HB 244 |
Relates to corporate purposes and powers of electric membership corporations; requires electric membership corporations to comply with certain requirements in determining the rates for attachments to utility poles by communications service providers; provides for definitions; provides for related matters; repeals conflicting laws. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Georgia |
HB 428 |
Relates to local government and revenue and taxation, respectively, so as to provide for state and local excise taxes on communications services and to eliminate certain other state or local taxes, charges, or fees related to such services; provides for procedures, conditions, and limitations; exempts certain broadband equipment from sales and use tax; provides for powers, duties, and authority of the Department of Revenue and the state revenue commissioner; provides for definitions. |
Taxes |
Georgia |
HB 499
Passed House March 5, 2019 |
Relates to electric membership corporations and foreign electric cooperatives, so as to permit the use of electric easements for broadband services; provides for legislative findings and declarations as to certain utility easements. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Georgia |
SB 2
Signed by governor April 26, 2019, Act 51 |
Relates to electrical service, so as to allow electric membership corporations to engage in certain activities in order to facilitate the provision of broadband services; authorizes electric membership corporations and their affiliates to provide broadband services; authorizes certain financing and partnerships for the provision of broadband services; provides certain rights, powers, and benefits to broadband affiliates of electric membership corporations. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Georgia |
SB 17
Signed by governor April 26, 2019, Act 52 |
Relates to public utilities and public transportation, so as to specifically authorize telephone cooperatives and their broadband affiliates to provide broadband services; provides for definitions; authorizes certain financing and partnerships for the provision of broadband services; provides for related matters; provides for an effective date; repeals conflicting laws. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Georgia |
SB 66
Signed by governor April 26, 2019, Act 53 |
Enacts the Streamlining Wireless Facilities and Antennas Act; streamlines the deployment of wireless broadband in the public rights of way; addresses any perceived conflicts between this Act and Chapter 66B of Title 36; provides that nothing in this Act relieves any person of any duties provided for in Chapter 9 of Title 25; provides for related matters; provides for effective dates; repeals conflicting laws. |
Infrastructure |
Guam |
Not available |
|
|
Hawaii |
HB 58 |
Short form bill relating to broadband. |
|
Hawaii |
HB 152 |
Short Form Bill relating to broadband communications. |
|
Hawaii |
HB 533
To conference committee April 23, 2019, |
Establishes the Broadband Office within the Technology Development Corporation; establishes the position of State Broadband Strategy Officer; renames the Broadband Assistance Advisory Council to the Broadband Advisory Council; requires the CEO of the Corporation to convene and chair the Broadband Advisory Council; appropriates funds. |
Governance |
Hawaii |
HB 821
Passed House March 5, 2019 |
Requires the Hawaii technology development corporation to seek to establish a public‑private partnership to plan, build, and manage key strategic broadband infrastructure and attract cloud based companies; makes an appropriation for the Hawaii broadband initiative and to establish an open access, carrier neutral cable landing station. |
Infrastructure |
Hawaii |
HB 1062
To conference committee April 18, 2019 |
Establishes a broadband infrastructure grant program to be administered by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. |
Funding, Infrastructure |
Hawaii |
HB 1156 |
Establishes the Broadband Service Infrastructure Grant Program; awards grants to applicants to extend deployment of facilities used to provide broadband service to unserved and underserved areas of the state; makes an appropriation. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Hawaii |
HCR 197
HR 178
|
Requests a study that summarizes the published reports and studies on the effects of 5G wireless technology on biological life. |
Infrastructure |
Hawaii |
SB 218 |
Requires the State Technology Development Corporation to establish a public private partnership to plan, build, and manage key strategic broadband infrastructure and attract cloud based companies to the state; makes an appropriation. |
Funding, Infrastructure |
Hawaii |
SB 553
Passed Senate March 5, 2019 |
Facilitates the deployment of broadband service infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas by identifying and addressing remaining obstacles to full deployment of broadband infrastructure to all areas; establishes the broadband service infrastructure grant program to award grants to applicants to extend deployment of facilities used to provide broadband service to unserved and underserved areas of the State. |
Funding, Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Hawaii |
SB 990
To conference committee April 15, 2019 |
Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to engage a consulting firm to conduct a study to evaluate policies and organizational changes needed within the Department that will enable the state to successfully execute a technology based economic development strategy; appropriates funds. |
|
Idaho |
SB 1132 |
Amends existing law to provide for broadband service; provides a certain exemption for a nonprofit corporation. |
|
Illinois |
HB 62
Signed by governor June 28, 2019, Act 29 |
Appropriates funds from the General Revenue Fund to the Central Economic Development Authority for upcoming fiscal year ordinary and contingent expenses. |
Funding |
Illinois |
HB 489 |
Amends the Broadband Access on Passenger Rail Law; makes a technical change in a section concerning the short title. |
|
Illinois |
HB 723 |
Amends the Broadband Advisory Council Act; makes a technical change in a section concerning the short title. |
Governance |
Illinois |
HB 2220 |
Amends the Highway Code; provides that upon receipt of an application, consent to use a highway may be granted to any communications provider issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Commerce Commission; provides requirements for communications provider use of a highway right of way if the highway authority does not have fee ownership of the property to be used; defines communications provider. |
Dig Once |
Illinois |
HB 3492 |
Creates the Low Income Broadband Assistance Program; requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish an Low Income Broadband Assistance Program to ensure the availability and affordability of broadband service to low income families; provides that the Department shall coordinate with Local Administrative Agencies to determine eligibility for the Program, provided that eligible income shall be no more than 135% of the federal poverty level. |
|
Illinois |
SB 741 |
Amends the Broadband Access on Passenger Rail Law; makes a technical change in a section concerning the short title. |
|
Illinois |
SB 801 |
Amends the Broadband Access on Passenger Rail Law; makes a technical change in a section concerning the short title. |
|
Illinois |
SB 810 |
Amends the Broadband Access on Passenger Rail Law; makes a technical change in a section concerning the short title. |
|
Illinois |
SB 1237 |
Amends the Highway Code; provides that upon receipt of an application, consent to use a highway may be granted to any communications provider issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Commerce Commission; provides requirements for communications provider use of a highway right‑of‑way if the highway authority does not have fee ownership of the property to be used; defines communications provider. |
Dig Once |
Illinois |
SB 1843 |
Amends the Broadband Advisory Council Act; makes a technical change in a section concerning the short title. |
Governance |
Illinois |
SB 2268 |
Amends the Public Utilities Act; provides that cable or video providers shall cease charging customers for modems and routers, whether rented together or separately, when the customer has paid to the provider the wholesale cost of the modem or router, or modem and router if rented together, plus a reasonable mark‑up not to exceed 5% of the modem, router, or modem and router wholesale cost to the provider. |
|
Indiana |
HB 1395 |
Provides that the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) may adopt rules necessary to administer the Indiana universal service fund (IUSF), including rules to: (1) adjust the amount of the surcharge percentage required to be collected by communications service providers and remitted to the IUSF; and (2) establish the types of communications service providers that are required to assess a surcharge for remittance to the IUSF. Provides that the IURC may, to the extent not prohibited by federal law, require a provider of interconnected VoIP service to collect and remit to the IUSF a surcharge on the provider's revenue Broadband development. Provides that the Indiana utility regulatory commission (IURC) may adopt rules necessary to administer the Indiana universal service fund (IUSF), including rules to: (1) adjust the amount of the surcharge percentage required to be collected by communications service providers and remitted to the IUSF; and (2) establish the types of communications service providers that are required to assess a surcharge for remittance to the IUSF. Provides that the IURC may, to the extent not prohibited by federal law, require a provider of interconnected VoIP service to collect and remit to the IUSF a surcharge on the provider's revenue from intrastate use of the provider's interconnected VoIP service. Provides that a communications service provider, including a provider of broadband service through fiber optic cable, has access to public rights-of-way as a public utility for purposes of federal law exempting public utilities from payment of fair market value for use of public rights-of-way acquired with federal mass transportation funds. Allows use of the I-Light network for provision of communications service to unserved areas, subject to rules adopted by the office of community and rural affairs to: (1) define unserved areas for purposes of the rules; and (2) establish an application process to receive and evaluate proposals by communications service providers for use of I-Light to provide communications service to unserved areas. Provides that a fee owner of a right-of-way or a possessor of an easement: (1) is not entitled to compensation; (2) may not charge a fee of any kind; and (3) may not unreasonably deny authorization; for construction, operation, or maintenance of infrastructure by public and municipally owned utilities, including communications service providers, to the extent that the construction, operation, or maintenance does not interfere with the ordinary and normal use of the right-of-way or easement. Provides that the department of transportation, when issuing a permit for excavation or obstruction of a street, highway, or right-of-way: (1) may not require provision of a bond or cash deposit in an amount greater than $10,000 for each area designated in the permit; and (2) must accept a blanket bond in satisfaction of the bond requirement. Makes a technical correction.
|
Rural and Underserved |
Indiana |
HB 1624 |
Establishes the Information Technology Oversight Committee. |
Governance |
Indiana |
SB 460
Signed by governor May 2, 2019, Public Law 189 |
Establishes the rural broadband fund for the purpose of awarding grants: (1) before August 1, 2019, under the existing statute governing grants for qualified broadband projects for unserved areas in Indiana; and (2) after July 31, 2019, under new procedures governing grants for eligible broadband projects for rural areas in Indiana. Requires the office of community and rural affairs (office) to establish procedures for the awarding of grants from the fund after July 31, 2019, by state agencies to eligible broadband service providers for eligible broadband projects in rural areas of Indiana. Provides that the procedures established by Broadband development. Establishes the rural broadband fund for the purpose of awarding grants: (1) before Aug. 1, 2019, under the existing statute governing grants for qualified broadband projects for unserved areas in Indiana; and (2) after July 31, 2019, under new procedures governing grants for eligible broadband projects for rural areas in Indiana. Requires the office of community and rural affairs (office) to establish procedures for the awarding of grants from the fund after July 31, 2019, by state agencies to eligible broadband service providers for eligible broadband projects in rural areas of Indiana. Provides that the procedures established by the office must establish specified priorities for the awarding of grants, based on the available Internet speeds in a particular area. Provides that the procedures established by the office may not permit the awarding of a grant from the fund for any proposed broadband project in an area in which eligible broadband service is available. Provides that the procedures established by the office may not permit the office to award a grant from the fund for any project in a rural area for which funding has been allocated from certain federal funding programs. Provides that the procedures established by the office must establish a system of priorities for awarding grants, weighted as determined by the office in guidelines adopted by the office, that gives preference to eligible broadband projects that meet certain specified criteria. Requires an eligible broadband service provider awarded a grant to sign with the office a grant agreement that: (1) outlines a start date and an end date for completion of the project; and (2) conditions the release of any grant funds on the progressive completion of the project. Beginning in 2020, requires the office to submit to the general assembly an annual report on the awarding of grants under these procedures during the most recent state fiscal year. Provides that every three years, beginning in 2021, the state board of accounts shall conduct an audit of the awarding of grants from the fund during the most recent three state fiscal years. Provides that a communications service provider that holds a certificate of territorial authority shall be designated as a public utility solely as that term is used in federal law that allows a state to exempt a public utility from the federal law's requirement that the state must charge fair market value for the use of real property acquired by the state using federal transportation funding. Provides that the department of transportation (INDOT) may not charge an access rate or any other recurring charge or recurring fee for communications infrastructure that is located before May 1, 2019, in any rights-of-way that are owned or controlled by INDOT. Specifies that INDOT may charge routine right-of-way permit fees to enter INDOT's rights-of-way for the maintenance of existing facilities. Provides that the department may create a broadband corridor program to manage communications infrastructure along or within limited access highway rights-of-way. Specifies that for purposes of the broadband corridor program, "communications infrastructure" does not include privately owned vertical structures used primarily for providing wireless communications service. Provides that: (1) INDOT may not unreasonably discriminate among entities requesting access to broadband corridors or other INDOT controlled rights-of-way; and (2) the bill's provisions prohibiting INDOT from discriminating among such entities do not abrogate or limit INDOT's statutory authority to safely and efficiently manage and operate the state highway system and associated highway rights-of-way. Provides that, before July 1, 2020, INDOT shall adopt rules to provide that, as used throughout the department's administrative code regarding utility facility relocation for purposes of construction contracts, "utility" has the meaning set forth in federal law concerning utility relocations, adjustments, and reimbursement.
|
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Indiana |
SB 461 |
Provides that a state agency that awards a grant to a broadband service provider for purposes of extending broadband service to unserved areas must follow procedures established and guidelines adopted by the office of community and rural affairs for the award of such grants. Provides that a state agency may not award a grant of more than $5,000,000 for any one qualified broadband project. Establishes the rural broadband fund (fund) for the purpose of awarding grants for funding of deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved areas. Provides that the office of community and rural affairs may make Broadband development funding. Provides that a state agency that awards a grant to a broadband service provider for purposes of extending broadband service to unserved areas must follow procedures established and guidelines adopted by the office of community and rural affairs for the award of such grants. Provides that a state agency may not award a grant of more than $5,000,000 for any one qualified broadband project. Establishes the rural broadband fund (fund) for the purpose of awarding grants for funding of deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved areas. Provides that the office of community and rural affairs may make grants from the fund for the purpose of awarding grants for funding of deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved areas. Makes technical corrections.
|
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Indiana |
SB 526 |
Defines a "qualified broadband project" as a project for the deployment of broadband infrastructure to provide broadband service for connections to the Internet at specified speeds, regardless of the delivery technology, in unserved areas in Indiana. Defines an "unserved area" as a geographic area of Indiana in which there is not at least one provider of terrestrial broadband service at the designated speeds. Provides that after June 30, 2019, the following apply with respect to grants made by state agencies (awarding agencies) for broadband infrastructure: (1) An awarding agency may not award a Use of state funds for broadband projects. Defines a "qualified broadband project" as a project for the deployment of broadband infrastructure to provide broadband service for connections to the Internet at specified speeds, regardless of the delivery technology, in unserved areas in Indiana. Defines an "unserved area" as a geographic area of Indiana in which there is not at least one provider of terrestrial broadband service at the designated speeds. Provides that after June 30, 2019, the following apply with respect to grants made by state agencies (awarding agencies) for broadband infrastructure: (1) An awarding agency may not award a new state broadband grant unless the grant is for a qualified broadband project. (2) An awarding agency may allocate or release state funds for a state broadband grant awarded to a recipient before July 1, 2019, subject to certain conditions. (3) In awarding a new state broadband grant, an awarding agency must either: (A) evaluate all grant applications and determine all grant recipients and award amounts in accordance with the criteria set forth in the statute authorizing the office of community and rural affairs (office) to award broadband grants for qualified broadband service in unserved areas; or (B) submit all grant applications received to the office for: (i) evaluation; and (ii) the determination of grant recipients and award amounts, or the recommendation of grant recipients and award amounts; in accordance with the criteria set forth in the statute. Sets forth requirements for: (1) an awarding agency that elects to perform its own evaluations and determinations with respect to the agency's state broadband grants; and (2) an agency that elects to submit its grant applications to the office for: (A) evaluation; and (B) the determination or recommendation of grant recipients and award amounts. Makes a conforming amendment to the definition of "broadband services" set forth in the statute concerning the broadband ready communities development center.
|
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Indiana |
SB 617 |
Provides that the office of community and rural affairs (office) may award a grant from the rural economic development fund to an Internet service provider (ISP) that provides Internet service with a transmission speed of: (1) not less than 3 megabits per second upstream; and (2) not less than 25 megabits per second downstream; in an unserved area. Provides that the amount of the grant is equal to $750 for each customer in an unserved area who subscribes to the ISP's broadband Internet service for one year under subscription terms established by the office, subject to reporting Broadband access grants. Provides that the office of community and rural affairs (office) may award a grant from the rural economic development fund to an Internet service provider (ISP) that provides Internet service with a transmission speed of: (1) not less than 3 megabits per second upstream; and (2) not less than 25 megabits per second downstream; in an unserved area. Provides that the amount of the grant is equal to $750 for each customer in an unserved area who subscribes to the ISP's broadband Internet service for one year under subscription terms established by the office, subject to reporting and verification rules developed by the office and approved by the state director of broadband opportunities.
|
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Iowa |
HF 772
Signed by governor May 20, 2019 |
Creates an Empower Rural Iowa Act to provide incentives for broadband development and workforce housing. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Iowa |
SF 8 |
Provides for the sale or lease of the state communications network. |
Municipal |
Iowa |
SF 625
Substituted by HF 772 |
Creates an Empower Rural Iowa Act to provide incentives for broadband access. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Kansas |
None |
|
|
Kentucky |
HB 187 |
Creates a new section of KRS Chapter 132 to exempt property used in the deployment of advanced broadband technologies from state and local ad valorem tax for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2019, but prior to Jan. 1, 2023; adds a purpose statement; requires reporting by the taxpayer and the Department of Revenue; amends KRS 132.010 to define property used in the deployment of advanced broadband technologies; amends KRS 131.190 to allow reporting by the Department of Revenue to the Legislative Research Commission |
Taxes |
Kentucky |
HB 509 |
Increases the amount of bonding and clarifies the form of bonds issued for certain projects. |
Governance |
Kentucky |
SB 253 |
Relates to broadband services; makes a technical correction. |
|
Louisiana |
SR 177
Adopted May 30, 2019 |
Creates the Task Force on Access to Broadband High Speed Internet Service. |
High Speed, Rural and Underserved |
Maine |
LD 147
Signed by governor April 23, 2019, Public Chapter 52 |
Amends the Telecommunications Education Access Fund to specify that the use of the fund for Internet access includes mobile Internet access through a portable wireless access point, or hotspot, that provides Internet access over a cellular network; provides support for qualified libraries in rural areas with greatest need, as determined in consultation with the State Librarian, the Commissioner of Education, and the ConnectME Authority. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Maine |
LD 172 |
Provides funds through the Maine Technology Institute to allow municipalities to invest in smart and connected infrastructure, technology, and capacity, including but not limited to, information and communications technology such as broadband connectivity, connected sensors, and data aggregation platforms, light‑emitting diode lighting, adaptive traffic control signals, and autonomous vehicle projects. |
Funding |
Maine |
LD 173 |
Promotes economic development and critical communications for family farms, businesses and residences by strategic public investment in high‑speed internet. |
Funding, Governance, High Speed, Rural and Underserved |
Maine |
LD 224 |
Provides funds to the ConnectME Authority to be used to provide grants to municipalities for high speed broadband infrastructure development and improvement. |
Funding, Governance, Municipal |
Maine |
LD 295 |
Provides funds to be used for the provision of broadband Internet service in unserved and underserved areas through ConnectME Authority grants to partnerships between private, municipal, and nongovernmental service providers. |
Funding, Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Maine |
LD 354 |
Provides funds to be used for encouraging the provision of reliable high speed Internet in rural underserved areas of the state. |
Funding, High Speed, Rural and Underserved |
Maine |
LD 854
Signed by governor June 10, 2019, Public Chapter 260 |
Expands the allowable use of tax increment financing to include development, expansion or improvement of broadband services, including connecting to broadband service outside the tax increment financing district. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved , Taxes |
Maine |
LD 1063
Signed by governor May 14, 2019, Public Chapter 108 |
Recognizes broadband Internet as a public necessity; designates a community broadband system or part of that system as a revenue producing municipal facility; allows a municipality to construct, maintain and operate a municipal or multimunicipal system composed of infrastructure capable of being utilized by communications service providers for the provision of communications services; prohibits a municipality from providing retail communications services through community broadband systems. |
Municipal |
Maine |
LD 1123 |
Amends the laws governing development districts designated by a municipality or plantation to provide that costs associated with broadband and fiber optics expansion projects, including preparation, planning, engineering, and other related costs in addition to the construction costs of such projects, whether or not such expansion projects serve residential or business areas within the municipality or plantation are authorized project costs. |
Infrastructure |
Maine |
LD 1192
Signed by governor May 16, 2019, Public Chapter 127 |
Amends the Utilities Laws to provide access by municipalities to facilities located in the municipal right of way in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare; establishes the preservation of space for municipal attachments to shared use poles by exempting municipalities from expenses assessed by joint use entities when the attachment is made for any purpose; provides definitions. |
Infrastructure |
Maine |
LD 1248
Adopted without governor's signature May 21, 2019, Resolve Chapter 33 |
Directs the ConnectME Authority to report to the Joint Standing Committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over energy, utilities, and technology matters, outlining the progress of the Authority in meeting the goals of its detailed Strategic Plan for Broadband Service. |
Governance |
Maine |
LD 1563 |
Encourages the development of broadband coverage in rural Maine. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Maine |
LD 1651 |
This bill creates requirements that a municipality must meet in order to provide broadband service to its residents. It requires the completion of a feasibility study and requires the municipality to hold a referendum to decide whether the municipality may offer broadband service. It includes general operation limitations, including those related to the establishment of rates, the use of subsidization and the use of eminent domain. It requires the adoption of ordinances relating to service quality and enforcement by a municipality that elects to provide broadband service. It also removes antitrust liability protections from a municipality as those protections relate to the municipality's offering broadband service. The bill also requires that in order to receive any grants from the ConnectME Authority, the municipality must show evidence of compliance with the requirements of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 35-A, chapter 94. |
Municipal |
Maine |
LD 1742 |
Facilitates the deployment of broadband infrastructure in unserved areas of this state by establishing the Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program under the ConnectME Authority, to award grants to applicants for the purpose of extending deployment of facilities used to provide broadband service to unserved areas of the state and, thus, to encourage new investment in broadband service infrastructure. |
Funding, Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Maine |
LD 1848, First Special Session |
Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to provide broadband internet infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of the state, maintenance and improvement of the National Guard armories, readiness centers and support facilities, and capital improvements and equipment purchases for career and technical education centers. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Maryland |
HB 654
SB 937 |
Establishes procedures and requirements for the deployment, installation, and regulation of certain wireless telecommunications facilities in the State; prohibits an authority from entering into an exclusive agreement for the use of certain rights‑of‑way for certain purposes; authorizes an authority to impose certain rates and fees for use of certain rights‑of‑way in a certain manner and subject to certain limitations. |
Infrastructure |
Maryland |
HB 1310
SB 720 |
Establishes the damages to be awarded for a certain taking of land or an interest in land subject to a utility easement where that easement is being used for providing broadband telecommunication services; requires certain damages to be computed at the time of taking and shall not accrue over time; prohibits evidence of revenues or profits derived by a utility from providing broadband services from being used for certain purposes. |
|
Maryland |
HB 1357
SB 634
Signed by governor April 30, 2019, Chapter 277 |
Authorizes an electric cooperative to construct, maintain, or operate or allow others to construct, maintain, or operate conducting or communications facilities for telecommunications and broadband Internet services along, on, under, or across various types of property. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Maryland |
HB 997
Became law without governor's signature May 25, 2019, Chapter 709
SB 259
Became law without governnor's signature May 25, 2019, Chapter 710 |
Authorizes Cecil County, for the purpose of providing internet service, to exercise certain authority in the entirety of the unincorporated area of the county, establish a special taxing district if property owners in the proposed district petition the county in a certain manner, impose ad valorem or special taxes, and issue bonds in accordance with certain provisions of law. |
Funding, Taxes |
Massachusetts |
HB 1874 |
Relates to the purchase and installation of wireless internet service in schools and public institutions of higher education. |
Education |
Massachusetts |
HB 2882 |
Relates to the speed of Internet access plans. |
|
Massachusetts |
HB 2885 |
Establishes a special commission to study the environmental and health effects of evolving 5G technology. |
Infrastructure |
Massachusetts |
HB 2892 |
Relates to the establishment of a special commission to examine the state of the advanced telecommunications broadband industry in the Commonwealth. |
Education, Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Massachusetts |
HB 3802 |
Relates to low-cost internet service. |
|
Massachusetts |
SB 207 |
Ensures safer technology investment by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute. |
Funding, Governance |
Massachusetts |
SB 1964 |
Relates to the establishment of a special commission for the promotion of a Massachusetts broadband competitive marketplace. |
Education, Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Massachusetts |
SB 1982 |
Relates to wifi and cellular infrastructure along rail lines. |
Infrastructure |
Michigan |
HB 4268 |
Exempts eligible broadband equipment from personal property tax. |
Taxes |
Michigan |
HB 4288 |
Provides for broadband funding. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Michigan |
SB 163 |
Creates an exemption for eligible broadband equipment from personal property tax. |
Taxes |
Minnesota |
HF 7
SF 9 |
Makes an appropriation to the commissioner of Employment and Economic Development for deposit in the Broadband Fund account. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Minnesota |
HF 376
SF 807 |
Relates to telecommunications; appropriates money for a grant to extend an existing broadband network. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Minnesota |
HF 752 |
Relates to telecommunications; appropriates money to the broadband grant program. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Minnesota |
HF 1137
SF 1336 |
Relates to telecommunications; appropriates money to the broadband grant program. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Minnesota |
HF 1178
SF 2414 |
Relates to education finance; increases funding for school district and library telecommunications purposes; requires a report; appropriates money. |
Education, Funding |
Minnesota |
HF 1657
SF 1684 |
Relates to local government; authorizes the city of Scandia to create a subordinate service district in order to provide broadband service. |
Municipal |
Minnesota |
HF 2355
SF 1507 |
Relates to telecommunications; establishes an unserved areas broadband development pilot program; appropriates money. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Minnesota |
HF 2419 |
Relates to economic development; appropriates money for a pilot grant program to support broadband connections for coworking spaces; requires reports. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Minnesota |
HF 2516
SF 628 |
Relates to education finance; increases state aid for school district telecommunications projects; modifies the calculation of telecommunications equity access aid for public and nonpublic schools; appropriates money. |
Education, Funding, Schools |
Minnesota |
SF 1231 |
Relates to telecommunications; appropriates money for the broadband grant program. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Minnesota |
SF 2622 |
Relates to economic development; modifies the border to border broadband development grant program. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Minnesota |
SF 2739 |
Relates to telecommunications; amends broadband definitions. |
|
Minnesota |
SF 2846 |
Relates to broadband; modifies the border‑to‑border broadband development grant program. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Minnesota |
HF 7, First Special Session
SF 1, First Special Session |
Relates to state government; establishes a budget for the Department of Agriculture, the Board of Animal Health, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, the Housing Finance Agency, and broadband development; makes policy and technical changes to various provisions related to agriculture, food, rural development, and housing, including provisions related to grants, loans, pesticides, fertilizer, hemp, pastures, bioincentive programs, grain buyers, grain warehouses, and manufactured homes. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
HB 170
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019 |
Establishes a goal for the state that by no later than the year 2027, all residents and businesses have access to broadband at certain specified download and upload speeds; requires the local governing authorities of certain impoverished counties and municipalities to enter into public private partnerships with select communications and information technology service providers and telecommunications enterprises for purposes of providing broadband services to those impoverished areas. |
Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
HB 254
Died in committee Feb. 27, 2019
|
Establishes a grant for the purpose of making grants to assist businesses in paying costs associated with providing and expanding cellular and broadband access and coverage in rural counties and rural municipalities; provides that the Mississippi Development Authority shall administer the grant program created in this act. |
Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
HB 366
Signed by governor Jan. 30, 2019, Chapter 301
|
Creates the Broadband Enabling Act; provides for ownership or operation of broadband systems by electric cooperatives through affiliates or operators; requires electric cooperatives to charge or pay any entity the same amount of fees that it charges or pays an affiliate for pole attachment fees or other items; requires an electric cooperative to conduct an economic feasibility study before broadband services may be provided. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
HB 619
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Creates the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act; provides legislative findings and determinations; provides definitions for the act; provides for ownership and operation of broadband systems by electric cooperatives; provides that no state agency, instrumentality or political subdivision shall regulate the facilities, operations or services of a broadband affiliate. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
HB 897
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Creates the State broadband enabling act; provides legislative findings and determinations; provides definitions for the act; provides for ownership and operation of broadband systems by electric cooperatives; provides that no state agency, instrumentality or political subdivision shall regulate the facilities, operations or services of a broadband affiliate. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
HB 919
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Creates the State broadband enabling act; provides legislative findings and determinations; provides definitions for the act; provides for ownership and operation of broadband systems by electric cooperatives; provides that no state agency, instrumentality or political subdivision shall regulate the facilities, operations or services of a broadband affiliate or other broadband operator utilizing an electric cooperatives electric delivery system. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
HB 926
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Creates the State broadband enabling act; provides legislative findings and determinations; provides definitions for the act; provides for ownership and operation of broadband systems by electric cooperatives; provides that no state agency, instrumentality or political subdivision shall regulate the facilities, operations or services of a broadband affiliate or other broadband operator utilizing an electric cooperatives electric delivery system. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
HB 1035
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Expands the purpose of electric power associations to allow them to provide broadband services; provides that easements owned, held or otherwise used by the associations may be used for this expanded purpose; conforms to the provisions of this act. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
HB 1312
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Authorizes electric cooperatives to provide broadband services; provides definitions; provides for the ownership and operation of these broadband systems; provides for nondiscrimination in pole access; provides requirements preventing the interference with electric system reliability; provides that the state auditor may inspect the books of the electric cooperative to ensure compliance with this Act; conforms to the provisions of this Act. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
HB 1731
Died in committee March 29, 2019
|
Authorizes the governing authorities of the City of Okolona, Mississippi, to utilize its electric power delivery system in Chickasaw, Monroe, Lee and Clay counties, Mississippi, to provide broadband service to customers. |
Infrastructure, Municipal, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
HB 1741
Died in committee March 29, 2019
|
Authorizes the governing authorities of the City of Columbus, Mississippi, to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of providing funds to pay the costs of developing, constructing, owning, improving, maintaining and operating broadband infrastructure. |
Funding, Municipal |
Mississippi |
SB 2003
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Creates the small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act to allow a wireless provider to deploy a small wireless facility and any associated utility pole within a right of way under certain conditions; defines certain terms used in the Act; provides for the scope of the Act; provides that the Act only applies to a wireless provider deploying, within a right of way, a small wireless facility or a utility pole associated with a small wireless facility. |
Infrastructure |
Mississippi |
SB 2078
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Expands the purpose of electric power associations to allow them to provide broadband services; provides that easements owned, held or otherwise used by the associations may be used for this expanded purpose; conforms to the provisions of this act. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
SB 2200
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Expands the purpose of electric power associations to allow them to provide broadband services; provides that easements owned, held or otherwise used by the associations may be used for this expanded purpose; conforms to the provisions of this act. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
SB 2206
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Expands the purpose of electric power associations to allow them to provide broadband services; provides that easements owned, held or otherwise used by the associations may be used for this expanded purpose; conforms to the provisions of this act. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
SB 2497
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Creates the State Broadband Enabling Act; provides legislative findings and determinations; provides definitions for the Act; provides for ownership and operation of broadband systems by electric cooperatives; provides that no state agency, instrumentality or political subdivision shall regulate the facilities, operations or services of a broadband affiliate or other broadband operator utilizing an electric cooperatives electric delivery system. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
SB 2676
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Creates the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act; provides legislative findings and determinations; provides definitions for the act; provides for ownership and operation of broadband systems by electric cooperatives; provides that no state agency, instrumentality or political subdivision shall regulate the facilities, operations or services of a broadband affiliate or other broadband operator utilizing an electric cooperative's electric delivery system. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
SB 2717
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Provides for the deployment of broadband by electric cooperatives; defines certain terms; provides for ownership and operation of broadband systems; provides that public funds received for the deployment of broadband service may only be used to provide broadband service in not served areas. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
SB 2893
Died in committee Feb. 5, 2019
|
Creates the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act; provides definitions for the Act; provides for ownership and/or operation of broadband systems by electric cooperatives through affiliates or operators; requires electric cooperatives to charge or pay any entity the same amount of fees that it charges or pays an affiliate for pole attachment fees or other items. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Mississippi |
SB 3075
Died in committee 3/29/19
|
Authorizes the governing authorities of the City of Okolona to utilize its electric power delivery system in Chickasaw, Monroe, Lee and Clay counties, Mississippi, to provide broadband service to its customers. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Missouri |
HB 1162 |
Specifies that the Department of Economic Development shall maintain all funds obtained under the Broadband Internet Grant Program. |
Funding, Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Montana |
HJR 13 |
Urges Congress to amend the Federal Telecommunications Act to account for health effects of siting small cell network equipment in residential areas. |
|
Nebraska |
LB 184
Signed by governor May 17, 2019 |
Adopts the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act; provides that to meet the public need and policy and key objectives of the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, wireless providers must have access to the public rights of way to densify their networks and provide next generation wireless services. |
Infrastructure |
Nebraska |
LB 208 |
Provides an exception for leasing dark fiber or providing certain telecommunications and related services by a state agency or political subdivision. |
Municipal |
Nebraska |
LR 166 |
Allows for an interim study to review the report of the Rural Broadband Task Force that was created by LB994, 2018. |
Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Nebraska |
LR 175 |
Allows for an interim study to ensure accelerated broadband deployment statewide. |
Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Nevada |
AB 344
Signed by governor May 14, 2019, Chapter 36 |
Requires a political subdivision of this state to allow a video service provider, or an affiliate thereof, to construct, install, place, maintain, operate, repair or replace micro wireless facilities on the video service network of the provider; requires a video service provider to install a switch near certain locations where radio antennas are mounted on strand of the provider to allow the disconnection of power from the antenna. |
|
New Hampshire |
HB 522
Signed by governor July 19, 2019, Chapter 260 |
Establishes a commission to study the environmental and health effects of evolving 5G technology. |
|
New Hampshire |
HB 1578 |
This bill requires Internet access providers to reimburse customers for interruptions in service and makes the failure to do so a violation of the Consumer Protection Act.
|
|
New Jersey |
AB 3546
SB 3673 |
Directs Rutgers Discovery Informatics Institute, the Office of Information Technology, and Big Data Alliance to develop an advanced cyberinfrastructure strategic plan; appropriates funds. |
High Speed |
New Jersey |
AB 4422
SB 3752 |
Concerns the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act; provides for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in the State. |
Infrastructure |
New Jersey |
AB 4888 |
Clarifies that an application to collocate wireless communications equipment must be reviewed by administrative officer. |
|
New Jersey |
AB 5181 |
Requires Internet service providers to warn residential subscribers of potential scams or other frauds committed through use of their service. |
|
New Jersey |
AB 5260 |
Requires the Office of Information Technology to conduct a study on deployment and impact of fifth-generation wireless telecommunications technology in the state. |
Infrastructure |
New Jersey |
AB 5431 |
Establishes the 5G Network and Development Task Force. |
Infrastructure |
New Jersey |
AB 5560
SB 3953 |
Provides for uniform regulation of small wireless facility deployment in this state. |
Infrastructure |
New Jersey |
AB 5774
SB 4093 |
Expands the Economic Development Authority small business loan program to include certain broadband telecommunications service providers
|
Funding |
New Jersey |
AB 5787
SB 4092 |
Directs Board of Public Utilities to allow broadband telecommunications service providers to use poles belonging to public utilities or CATV companies in certain instances. |
Infrastructure |
New Jersey |
AB 5880 |
Allows local units to offer broadband telecommunications service under certain circumstances. |
Municipal |
New Jersey |
ACR 274
SCR 178 |
Urges the Board of Public Utilities to investigate broadband Internet and landline telephone services in the state's rural communities; urges the State Board of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture to explore ways these services can be brought to the state's rural communities. |
Rural and Underserved |
New Mexico |
HB 9 |
Relates to telecommunications; creates the broadband infrastructure advisory committee; creates the broadband infrastructure development fund; establishes standards for public agencies to enter into public‑private partnership agreements for broadband infrastructure; requires reports; makes an appropriation. |
Governance, Rural and Underserved |
New Mexico |
HB 176
Passed House March 8, 2019 |
Relates to taxation; creates gross receipts and compensating tax deductions for broadband telecommunications network facilities components. |
Taxes |
New Mexico |
HB 385
Passed House Feb. 26, 2019 |
Relates to telecommunications; amends the Rural Telecommunications Act to make access to the state rural universal service fund for telecommunications carriers established after enactment of that act comparable to the access for telecommunications carriers established prior to enactment of that act; provides definitions. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
New Mexico |
HB 670 |
Makes an appropriation to the Indian Affairs Department for library and internet access projects for Indian nations, tribes and pueblos. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
New Mexico |
SB 208 |
Relates to taxation; creates gross receipts and compensating tax deductions for broadband telecommunications network facilities components. |
Taxes |
New Mexico |
SM 116
Adopted March 15, 2019 |
Requests the congressional delegation to work with the U.S. Department of the Interior and its subsidiary agencies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its subsidiary agencies, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Communications Commission to establish uniform regulations and procedures across federal jurisdictions to facilitate the development of broadband infrastructure and service in Indian and non-Indian rural communities. |
Rural and Underserved |
New Mexico |
SM 131 |
Requests the Public Regulation Commission to inquire and make recommendations about approaches for amending the state rural universal service fund to provide greater benefits to the public, to lessen the burden on ratepayers, to provide greater accountability from carriers receiving funding and to more effectively advance the goal of increasing broadband internet access throughout New Mexico. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
New York |
AB 138
SB 4368
|
Relates to state contracts being only with internet service providers compliant with net neutrality and establishes a revolving fund for the establishment of municipal internet service providers; appropriates $250 million therefor.
|
Municipal |
New York |
AB 1459
SB 1949 |
Enacts the wireless broadband eligible facility permitting act to provide for uniform regulation of certain wireless facilities. |
Infrastructure |
New York |
AB 1503
Signed by governor Dec. 16, 2019, Chapter 653
SB 1607
Substituted June 19, 2019
|
Requires the office of information technology services to study and evaluate the future implementation and possible impact of 5G technology in the state. |
Infrastructure |
New York |
AB 2037
Substituted June 12, 2019
SB 6041
Vetoed by governor Dec. 6, 2019 |
Directs the Public Service Commission to study the feasibility of a municipal broadband program within the state. |
Municipal |
New York |
AB 2568 |
Establishes infrastructure financing districts; provides for electoral mechanism for such establishment; sets conditions on authorized projects within such districts. |
Funding |
New York |
AB 3642
SB 2263 |
Provides regulatory control of internet service providers by the public service commission; requires internet neutrality; relates to the placement of equipment on utility poles. |
Infrastructure |
New York |
AB 3693 |
Enacts the Omnibus Telecommunications Reform Act of 2019; reforms the competitive cable service, promotes the widespread development of high capacity broadband internet access, and increases the availability and quality of services in this key economic development area and ensures the safety, reliability and affordability of telecommunications services. |
Governance, High Speed, Rural and Underserved |
New York |
AB 4066
SB 3046 |
Relates to notice requirements and municipal cooperation in wireless facility siting; requires notification be provided to municipalities in which wireless facilities are to be sited and to residents within two thousand five hundred feet of proposed wireless facilities. |
Infrastructure |
New York |
AB 6679
SB 5696 |
Amends the Public Service Law; provides for broadband and fiber optic services; requires the Public Service Commission to determine the status of broadband and fiber optic services in the state; provides that the Commission shall require construction or installation of broadband and fiber optic services by an internet service provider in communities in which broadband and fiber optic services are determined to be absent, insufficient, or inadequate. |
Governance, Rural and Underserved |
New York |
AB 8637 |
Establishes a temporary commission to study the environmental and health effects of evolving 5G technology. |
Infrastructure |
New York |
AB 8823 |
Requires contracts for cable television and broadband internet attachments to utility poles and the use of utility ducts, trenches and conduits to include all such poles, ducts, trenches and conduits located within a given census tract.
|
Infrastructure |
New York |
SB 111 |
Requires financial reports from the New York state broadband program office. |
Governance |
New York |
SB 1068 |
Amends the Public Service Law; relates to providing broadband and fiber optic services; requires the public service commission to determine the status of broadband and fiber optic services in New York state; provides that the commission shall require construction or installation of broadband and fiber optic services by an internet service provider in communities in which broadband and fiber optic services are determined to be absent, insufficient, or inadequate. |
Rural and Underserved |
New York |
SB 1609 |
Authorizes and directs the department of public service to study and report on the current status of cable television systems operating and providing services to the customer premises over fiberoptic cables. |
|
New York |
SB 2202 |
Relates to conducting a study on various approaches to increasing broadband access within this state. |
|
New York |
SB 3589 |
Amends the State Technology Law; relates to encouraging public-private partnerships to help spread broadband deployment. |
Governance |
New York |
SB 5523 |
Establishes the municipal broadband fund to provide grants to municipal corporations for broadband projects and services. |
Funding, Municipal |
North Carolina |
HB 381 |
Provides for the capital needs of public schools, community colleges, universities, and agencies of the state; provides continuing funding for broadband infrastructure expansion. |
Education, Funding, Schools |
North Carolina |
HB 387
Signed by governor Oct. 14, 2019, Chapter 230
SB 310
Signed by governor May 30, 2019, Chapter 17 |
Removes restrictions prohibiting electric membership corporations and their subsidiaries from seeking federal grant funds to provide telecommunications and broadband services; authorizes such corporations and their wholly-owned subsidiaries to use easements held by the corporations to supply telecommunications and broadband services; provides for the manner in which claims related to the expanded use of easements by such corporations shall be resolved. |
Funding, Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
North Carolina |
HB 398
Vetoed by governor Nov. 8, 2019 |
Makes appropriations for the Department of Information technology and information technology projects. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
North Carolina |
HB 431 |
Fosters infrastructure for broadband expansion and resources in by authorizing counties and cities to install and lease broadband infrastructure to increase adequate broadband services to attract investment in local economies, provide for educational and career opportunities, modernize farming technologies, and to provide for improved health care. |
Municipal, Rural and Underserved |
North Carolina |
HB 897 |
Provides that the utilities commission shall annually determine whether broadband service in the state is sufficiently competitive. |
Governance |
North Carolina |
SB 308 |
Restores an open internet; appropriates funds for statewide broadband access. |
Funding |
North Carolina |
SB 627 |
Allows cities and counties to receive broadband infrastructure grants under the growing rural economies with access to technology program. |
Funding, Municipal, Rural and Underserved |
North Carolina |
SB 645 |
Fosters infrastructure for broadband expansion and resources by authorizing counties and cities to build and lease facilities and equipment of broadband services to increase adequate broadband services to attract investment in local economies; provides for educational and career opportunities, modernize farming technologies; provides for improved health care. |
Funding, Municipal |
North Dakota |
SB 2044
Signed by governor April 10, 2019, Chapter 110 |
Amends and reenacts §12.1-21-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to tampering with or damaging a critical infrastructure facility or a public service; and provides a penalty. |
Infrastructure |
N. Mariana Islands |
Not available |
|
|
Ohio |
HB 13 |
Amends §§133.13 and 727.01 and enacts §§122.09, 122.091, 122.092, 122.093, 122.094, 122.095, 122.096, 122.097, 122.098, 122.099, 122.0910, 122.0911, 122.0912, 122.0913, 122.0914, 122.0915, 122.0916, 122.0917, 122.0918, 122.0920, 122.0921, 122.0923, 122.0927, 122.0929, 303.251, and 505.881 of the Revised Code to establish the residential broadband expansion program and to make an appropriation.
|
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Ohio |
HB 190 |
Amends §184.10 and enacts §§122.97, 122.971, 122.972, 122.973, 122.974, 122.975, 122.976, 122.977, 122.978, 122.979, 122.9710, 122.9711, 122.9712, 122.9713, 122.9714, and 5511.11 of the Revised Code to create the Ohio Broadband Development Grant Program, to encourage the Department of Transportation to work with telecommunications providers to lay fiber optic cable, and to make an appropriation.
|
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Ohio |
SB 33 |
Amends §§2909.07, 2909.10, 2911.21, 2911.211, 2917.21, and 2917.32 and enacts §2307.67 of the Revised Code to modify certain criminal offenses with respect to critical infrastructure facilities and to impose fines and civil liability for damage to a critical infrastructure facility.
|
Infrastructure |
Oklahoma |
HB 2540 |
Relates to Internet providers; creates the Oklahoma Internet Accessibility Act. |
|
Oklahoma |
HB 2595
Passed House March 6, 2019 |
Relates to revenue and taxation; relates to sales tax exemptions; provides sales tax exemption for sales of tangible personal property for use in construction or upgrade of high‑speed Internet systems; provides for administration of exemption as rebate; requires Oklahoma Tax Commission to adopt rules; imposes limit on total purchase amount eligible for exemption. |
High Speed, Taxes |
Oklahoma |
SB 1002
Passed Senate March 19, 2019 |
Relates to the Corporation Commission; creates the Facilitating Internet Broadband Rural Expansion Act; prohibits certain subsidization by rural electric cooperatives; establishes duties of certain cooperatives; prohibits cooperatives from providing certain service without authorization. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Oregon |
HB 2173
Signed by governor Aug. 9, 2019, Chapter 648 |
Creates the State Broadband Office within the Business Development Department; repeals the sunset on the Broadband Advisory Council; adds a member to the Council; broadens the duties of the Council to include recommending public policy and solutions to address the state's broadband needs and goals; directs the Council to champion statewide access to broadband services. |
Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Oregon |
HB 2184
Passed House June 24, 2019 |
Expands definition of retail telecommunications service for purposes of universal service surcharge; authorizes Public Utility Commission to subject sale of communications and broadband services other than retail telecommunication services to universal service surcharge; directs commission to transfer moneys deposited in universal service fund that are to be used for encouraging broadband service availability to Broadband Fund. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved, Taxes |
Oregon |
HB 2455 |
Includes developing and expanding broadband Internet access service as form of economic development for which Oregon Business Development Department may fund loans and grants for use in Eastern Oregon Border Economic Development Region; makes nonsubstantive housekeeping amendments to statutes. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Oregon |
SB 69
Signed by governor May 7, 2019, Chapter 91 |
Expands purposes of plan of assistance established by Public Utility Commission under Oregon Telephone Assistance Program to include supporting broadband internet access service. |
|
Oregon |
SB 505 |
Directs state Broadband Advisory Council to study issues related to expansion of broadband capacity and access; requires council, based on findings of its study, to establish statewide broadband plan and submit report to interim committees related to economic development on or before Sept. 15, 2020; authorizes council to propose legislation for 2021 regular session based on its findings with respect to study of public‑private partnerships. |
Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Pennsylvania |
HB 305
Passed House June 20, 2019 |
Provides for an inventory of state and county-owned communications assets and the use of communication towers for the development of wireless broadband services in unserved and underserved areas of this Commonwealth; provides for the Statewide Mobile Radio and Microwave System. |
Rural and Underserved |
Pennsylvania |
HB 1400 |
Provides for small wireless facilities deployment. |
Infrastructure |
Pennsylvania |
HB 2055 |
Relates to municipal authorities; provides for purposes and powers; relates to an alternative form of regulation of telecommunications services; provides for network modernization plans. |
Municipal |
Pennsylvania |
HR 63 |
Directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee and the Joint State Government Commission to jointly conduct an audit and study on the compliance of nonrural telecommunication carriers with the Public Utility Code and high‑speed broadband universal service deployment mandates and to report their findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives. |
High Speed, Rural and Underserved |
Pennsylvania |
HR 64 |
Establishes a legislative task force on the delivery of high‑speed broadband services and directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee to conduct a study on the delivery of high‑speed broadband services in unserved areas and underserved areas of this Commonwealth and to report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives. |
Governance, High Speed, Rural and Underserved |
Pennsylvania |
HR 354 |
Directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct an audit on the compliance of telecommunication carriers with high-speed broadband universal service deployment mandates under the Public Utility Code. |
High Speed |
Pennsylvania |
SB 835 |
Provides for funding of high-speed broadband service infrastructure deployment in unserved areas of this Commonwealth and for powers and duties of the Department of Community and Economic Development. |
Funding, High Speed, Rural and Underserved |
Pennsylvania |
SR 47
Adopted June 26, 2019 |
Revises provisions directing the Joint State Government Commission to establish an advisory committee to conduct a study on the delivery of high-speed broadband services in unserved and underserved areas of this Commonwealth. |
Governance, High Speed, Rural and Underserved |
Pennsylvania |
SR 48
Adopted June 26, 2019 |
Revises provisions directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a review of the compliance of telecommunication carriers with the high-speed broadband deployment mandates of the Public Utility Code. |
Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Puerto Rico |
HB 1294 |
Creates the Law of Joint Use of the Infrastructure of the Electric Power Authority in order to establish the parameters in which private companies and/or individuals can use the electric power service infrastructure to install fiber-optic lines, telephony, internet and/or any other service, to limit the cause of action that private companies and/or individuals using the poles of the Electric Power Authority have in claims related to the maintenance of said infrastructure. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Puerto Rico |
HB 1976
Signed by governor Aug. 1, 2019, Chapter 127 |
Creates the Law to Facilitate the Implementation and Use of Small Wireless Installations or Small Cells in Telecommunications Systems in Puerto Rico, in order to establish the regulatory and procedural framework regarding the permit for the integration of Small Installations Wireless in telecommunications in Puerto Rico. |
|
Rhode Island |
None |
|
|
South Carolina |
HB 3012
To House for concurrence May 7, 2019 |
(Concurrent Resolution) Expresses the belief of the general assembly that the schools and school districts of this state should utilize the education rate program of the federal communications commission established by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which provides discounts on internet access and telecommunications services for schools and school districts with higher poverty levels in their student population that would be of great benefit to these students. |
Education, Funding |
South Carolina |
HB 3780
Passed House April 4, 2019 |
Creates the growing rural economies with access to technology (GREAT) program; facilitates the deployment of broadband to unserved areas of the state; provides definitions; establishes the growing rural economies with access to technology fund; provides that any property owned by a municipality may be leased or rented in certain situations; provides that a municipality-owned utility may be leased. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
South Carolina |
HB 4262
Passed House April 4, 2019 |
Enacts the state Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act; makes legislative findings; defines relevant terms; provides among other things, that certain agreements or enactments pertaining to the deployment of small wireless facilities that do not comply with certain provisions of this act must be deemed invalid and unenforceable beginning on a specified date; requires local government authorities to allow the collocation of small wireless facilities on authority utility poles under specified circumstances. |
Infrastructure |
South Carolina |
SB 720 |
Relates to the sales tax on communication services; excludes internet video streaming services from the imposition of the sales tax. |
Taxes |
South Dakota |
None |
|
|
Tennessee |
HB 579
SB 706 |
Requires the department to deliver its report on the status of grants under the broadband accessibility grant program to the chairs of the commerce committee of the house of representatives and the commerce and labor committee of the senate. |
Funding, Governance |
Tennessee |
HB 580
SB 1037 |
Lowers from 5 percent to 4 percent the limit at which the expenses incurred by the Department of Economic and Community Development to administer the broadband accessibility grant program must not exceed from the total amount appropriated to the program in any fiscal year. |
Funding, Governance |
Tennessee |
HB 581
SB 1036 |
Lowers from 10 mbps to 9 mbps the minimum download speed at which projects deploying broadband services must meet in order to be awarded grants under the broadband accessibility grant program. |
Funding |
Tennessee |
HB 819
SB 494 |
Authorizes a municipal electric to provide cable service, two way video transmission, video programming, and internet services outside its service area. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Tennessee |
HB 820
SB 490 |
Specifies that an applicant shall be deemed by the Tennessee regulatory authority to have satisfied all of the requirements necessary for approval of a state-issued certificate of franchise authority if the applicant has provided fiber to the premises to at least 1,000 customers for a period of at least one year prior to the application. |
|
Tennessee |
HB 821
SB 489 |
Authorizes municipalities operating an electric plant to provide telecommunication services, including broadband internet access, in geographical areas both within and outside of the electric plants service area. |
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Texas |
HB 669
Passed House May 1, 2019 |
Relates to eligibility of certain local exchange companies for support from the universal service fund for the provision of broadband service. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Texas |
HB 1446
SB 14
Signed by governor June 7, 2019, Chapter 499 |
Amends the Utilities Code to authorize an electric cooperative and its affiliates to construct, operate, and maintain fiber optic cables and other facilities for providing high-speed internet service to its customers using the cooperative's existing electricity easements. The bill sets out parameters for the administration of providing such internet services, including rate setting.
|
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Texas |
HB 1960
Signed by governor May 25, 2019, Chapter 228 |
Amends the Government Code to create the temporary governor's broadband development council. The bill sets out the duties of the council, including researching the progress of broadband development in unserved areas and the benefits of statewide access to broadband.
|
Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Texas |
HB 2422
Signed by governor June 14, 2019, Chapter 1122
SB 1104 |
Relates to the coordination of certain broadband projects by the Department of Transportation. |
Dig Once , Governance |
Texas |
HB 2423
Passed House April 26, 2019
SB 1103 |
Relates to the creation of the broadband office within the Public Utility Commission of the state and the establishment of a broadband investment grant program. |
Funding, Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Texas |
HB 4577 |
Relates to the deployment of broadband service in rural areas of the state. |
Rural and Underserved |
Texas |
SB 1206 |
Relates to the creation of the governor's broadband council. |
Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Utah |
HB 296
Signed by governor March 29, 2019, Chapter 467 |
Creates a grant program in the Governor's Office of Economic Development; defines terms, including coworking and innovation center; creates the Rural Coworking and Innovation Center Grant Program in GOED; describes the requirements and purposes of the grant program; creates the Rural Online Working Hubs Grant Advisory Committee to advise GOED regarding the grant program. |
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Vermont |
HB 93 |
This bill proposes to require the Public Utility Commission to amend its existing rules governing pole attachments with the goal of expediting the use of facilities by telecommunications service providers able to offer and expand broadband throughout the state.
|
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Vermont |
HB 94 |
This bill proposes to increase the Universal Service Charge for a limited time and use the additional funds raised to support the High-Cost Program, the Connectivity Initiative, and feasibility studies and technical assistance for municipalities in the process of developing a communications union district.
|
Funding |
Vermont |
HB 95 |
This bill proposes to require the commissioner of Public Service to study the feasibility of electric companies providing broadband Internet access service using electric distribution and transmission infrastructure.
|
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Vermont |
HB 96 |
This bill proposes to require applicants for a certificate of public good under 30 V.S.A. §248a to demonstrate that the proposed facility will provide broadband Internet access service at speeds that meet or exceed 4 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload to all service locations in one or more census blocks where at least 50% of the service locations in each census block only have access to internet service with speeds that are less than 4 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. It also proposes to extend the statutory sunset of 30 V.S.A. §248a to July 1, 2022.
|
Rural and Underserved |
Vermont |
HB 160 |
This bill proposes to develop programs and initiatives designed to facilitate the deployment of broadband internet access service throughout Vermont.
|
Funding, Municipal, Rural and Underserved |
Vermont |
HB 513
Signed by governor June 20, 2019, Act 79 |
This act amends existing law and establishes new programs related to the deployment of broadband service in Vermont. For example, it increases the Universal Service Rate of Charge by four-tenths of 1% and uses the additional revenue raised to fund a new position within the Department of Public Service as well as grants through the Connectivity Initiative, it increases the speed requirements for eligibility for funding through both the High-Cost Program and the Connectivity Initiative to 25/3 Mbps, it changes the Vermont Universal Service Fund Rate of Charge collection method applicable to prepaid wireless telecommunications service, it establishes the Broadband Innovation Grant Program within the Department of Public Service, it requires the Department of Public Service to study the feasibility of electric companies providing broadband service using electric company infrastructure, it repeals the prohibition on electric cooperatives receiving federal funds for unregulated activities, it allows municipalities to enter into public-private partnerships with private internet service providers, it establishes the Broadband Expansion Loan Program within the Vermont Economic Development Authority, it amends Vermont’s poleattachment rule, it adds additional data and analysis requirements applicable to the State’s 10-year Telecommunications Plan and specifies that a new plan shall be adopted every three years, it requires the commissioner of Health to prepare a report on the possible health consequences from exposure to the radio frequency fields produced by wireless technologies, it requires the E-911 Board to adopt protocols for the reporting of outages that may disrupt the availability of E-911 service, it requires the Public Utility Commission to complete by a date certain its workshop concerning the pole-rental calculation and its workshop concerning backup-power obligations, it establishes the PEG Access Study Committee, and it authorizes the commissioner of Public Service to provide financial and technical support to municipalities seeking to obtain or use state-owned 2G microcells.
|
Funding, Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Vermont |
SB 91 |
This bill proposes to require the commissioner of Public Service to study the feasibility of electric companies providing broadband internet access service using electric distribution and transmission infrastructure.
|
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Virginia |
HB 2141
Signed by governor April 3, 2019, Chapter 828 |
Authorizes a local governing body, with respect to a service district, to contract with a nongovernmental broadband service provider who will construct, maintain, and own communications facilities and equipment required to facilitate delivery of last-mile broadband services to unserved areas of the service district, provided that the locality documents that less than 10% of residential and commercial units within the project area are capable of receiving broadband service at the time the construction project is approved by the locality.
|
Municipal, Rural and Underserved |
Virginia |
HB 2541
Signed by governor March 21, 2019, Chapter 709
SB 1618
Signed by governor March 21, 2019, Chapter 710 |
Extends the expiration of the Office of Telework Promotion and Broadband Assistance from July 1, 2019, to July 1, 2021. The bill also repeals the expiration of the Broadband Advisory Council, and alters and expands from 14 to 17 its total membership.
|
Funding, Governance |
Virginia |
HB 2573 |
Declares that a public service company that has acquired a prescriptive easement that is used to provide electrical service is deemed to have the right to grant to a provider of broadband or other telecommunications services the right to attach its wires and appurtenant facilities to the public service company's poles, subject to the conditions that the public service company not charge pole attachment fees for 5 years and that the public utility and telecommunications service provider equally share the costs of making the poles ready.
|
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Virginia |
HB 2691
Signed by governor March 19, 2019, Chapter 619 |
Requires the State Corporation Commission to establish pilot programs under which Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power may submit a petition to provide or make available broadband capacity to nongovernmental Internet service providers in areas of the Commonwealth that are unserved by broadband. The costs of Dominion Power and Appalachian Power's proposals are each capped at $60 million annually. The provision of such broadband capacity is declared to be in the public interest. The measure authorizes the utilities to recover the net costs of the pilot program from customers through a rate adjustment clause. The measure authorizes such utility to own or lease broadband capacity equipment. The measure requires the Commission to conduct proceedings to determine whether an area is unserved by broadband.
|
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
Virginia |
SB 1317 |
Directs the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission to award at least $10 million per year in grants to cover expenditures for the purchase and installation of wireless and broadband equipment to rural service areas in the Commonwealth. The bill defines "rural service areas" as any locality with a mean broadband download speed of less than 10 megabits per second, and a mean broadband upload speed of less than one megabit per second. The bill also establishes a sales tax exemption, which would be phased in over four years, for property sold or leased to a telecommunications company and used directly in the rendition of its public service.
|
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Virginia |
SB 1444
To conference committee Feb. 21, 2019 |
Relates to Secretary of Technology; relates to transfer of duties to the Secretaries of Administration and Commerce and Trade; transfers operational responsibilities of the Office of the Secretary of Technology to the Secretary of Administration and responsibilities related to commercialization and entrepreneurial support to the Secretary of Commerce and Trade; contains technical amendments. |
Governance |
Virginia |
SB 1711 |
Establishes a procedure by which a broadband service provider may obtain approval to place its fiber-optic broadband lines across a railroad right-of-way. The measure provides that a broadband service provider may submit to the railroad company a notice of intent to construct, accompanied by a specification exhibit and a standard crossing fee of $800; if the railroad does not claim within 35 days that special circumstances exist or that the required specification exhibit is inadequate or incomplete, the broadband service provider is deemed to have authorization to commence placing the fiber optic broadband line across the railroad's right-of-way. The measure provides that a railroad company that believes that special circumstances exist may file a petition for relief with the State Corporation Commission. The bill requires the Commission to adopt regulations prescribing the terms and conditions for a crossing.
|
Infrastructure |
Virginia |
SJR 311
Passed Senate Feb. 5, 2019 |
Requests the Department of Housing and Community Development to study the permitting processes in the Commonwealth for broadband deployment and renewable energy construction projects.
|
Infrastructure |
U.S. Virgin Islands |
None |
|
|
Washington |
HB 1373 |
Delays, until July 1, 2029, the termination of the state universal communications services program. Addresses the provision, enhancement, and maintenance of broadband services, recognizing that the incumbent public network functions to provide all communications services including voice and broadband services; distribution formula for eligible communications providers; and adoption of rules and required reporting by the utilities and transportation commission. Permits expenditures from the universal communications services account to be used for commission expenses related to implementation and administration of certain statutes.
|
Funding |
Washington |
HB 1498
Passed House March 8, 2019
SB 5511
Signed by governor May 13, 2019, Chapter 365 |
Expands affordable, resilient broadband service to enable economic development, public safety, health care, and education in Washington's communities. Establishes state goals for access to broadband services that meet minimum download and upload speeds. Establishes the Governor's Statewide Broadband Office (office) is established with the purpose to encourage, foster, develop, and improve affordable, quality broadband within the state. Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, and every two years after that, the office shall report to the appropriate legislative committees on the office's activities during the previous two years including an analysis of the current availability and use of broadband in the state; information collected from anchor institutions determining the actual speed and capacity of broadband currently in use and the need for increases; an overview of incumbent state broadband infrastructure; and suggested policies and legislation to accelerate the achievement of state broadband speed goals. Requires the Public Works Board (PWB), in collaboration with the office, to establish and administer a competitive grant and loan program to promote expanding access to broadband service in unserved areas of the state. Grants and loans may be awarded to assist funding middle mile and last-mile infrastructure that supports broadband services and strategic planning for deploying broadband service to unserved areas. Creates the Statewide Broadband Account in the State Treasury. Amends the purpose of the State Universal Communications Services Program to include the provision, enhancement, and maintenance of broadband services. By Dec. 1, 2024, authorizes the Utilities and Transportation Commission to report to the Legislature on the adequacy of funding levels for each small telecommunications company to maintain reliable universal service, an analysis of the need for future program funding, and recommendations on potential funding mechanisms to improve the availability of communications services including broadband service in unserved areas. Authorizes Public Utility Districts (PUDs) to provide temporary retail services to customers if an internet service provider (ISP) operating on a PUD telecommunications facility that provides wholesale services ceases to provide access to the internet to its end-use customers and no other retail service providers are willing to provide service. Within 30 days of the ISP ceasing to provide Internet access, the PUD must initiate a process to find a replacement ISP or provider. Until a replacement ISP or provider is in operation, the district commission may for a maximum period of five months establish a rate to provide Internet access and charge customers to cover expenses necessary to provide internet access. The tax treatment of the retail services provided by a PUD during this period must be the same as if those retail services were provided by the defunct internet service provider. In addition to current law, port districts in existence on June 8, 2000, may acquire and operate telecommunications facilities for their own internal telecommunications needs and to provide wholesale telecommunications services outside of their district limits. A port district may select a telecommunications company to operate all or a portion of the port district's telecommunications facilities. |
Funding, Governance, Rural and Underserved |
Washington |
HB 1606 |
Authorizes the community economic revitalization board to make broadband loans and grants to local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes for financing the cost to build infrastructure to provide high-speed, open-access broadband service for economic or community development. Requires a responsible local government official or a federally recognized Indian tribe to: (1) Be present during board deliberations and provide requested information; and (2) Demonstrate to the board that no other timely source of funding is available to it at costs reasonably similar to financing available from the board.
|
Funding, Rural and Underserved |
Washington |
HB 1800 |
States that, without increasing the total sales and use tax rate, this act allows a local sales and use tax as a credit against the state sales tax for rural high-speed internet infrastructure.
|
Infrastructure, Taxes |
Washington |
SB 5085 |
Authorizes a unit of local government or other subdivision of the state to provide broadband services when approved by the Utilities and Transportation Commission pursuant to certain requirements.
|
Municipal, Rural and Underserved |
West Virginia |
HB 2005
Passed House Jan. 29, 2019 |
Adds a new article, designated §11-6L-1, §11-6L-2, §11-6L-3, §11-6L-4, and §11-6L-5, to amend said code by adding thereto three new sections, designated §31G-4-4, §31G-4-5, and §31G-4-6, and to amend said code by adding thereto a new chapter, designated §31H-1-1, §31H-1-4 2, §31H-2-1, §31H-2-2, §31H-2-3, and §31H-2-4, all relating to wireless telecommunication technology facilities generally; provides a special method for valuation of certain wireless technology property for property taxes; defines terms; provides mandated salvage valuation of certain wireless businesses’ property; specifies method for valuation of certain property; requires initial determination and specifies procedure for protest and appeal of determination; establishes Public Service Commission jurisdiction over make-ready pole access within the state; relates to the determination of the feasibility of electric utilities constructing and operating middle-mile broadband internet projects to serve certain unserved and underserved areas; defines certain terms; delineates the factors that must be contained in certain feasibility studies; requires the Broadband Enhancement Council and the Public Service Commission to assist electric utilities in the determination of the feasibility of certain proposed middle-mile broadband development projects; requires that the Broadband Enhancement Council render a judgment as to the feasibility of middle-mile broadband internet projects within a certain period of time; requires certain reports be submitted to certain officials and committees; and provides for severability; the establishment of the West Virginia Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act; makes legislative findings; defines terms; provides for access to public rights-of-way for the collocation of small wireless facilities; provides for certain permit requirements; authorizes and limits access to collocation sites, structures and equipment; requires permits to be issued on a nondiscriminatory basis; provides for the collection of fees and setting the amount of fees; and providing for certain zoning, indemnification, insurance, and bonding requirements.
|
Infrastructure, Rural and UnderservedTaxes |
West Virginia |
HB 2416 |
Amends and reenacts §17-2A-17a of the Code of West 1 Virginia, 1931, as amended; and amends and reenacts §17-2E-2, §17-2E-3, §17-2E-5, and §17-2E-6 of said code, all relating to the use of state-owned rights-of-way; modifying requirements related to accommodation leases; amending procedures and requirements of the state’s dig once policy; modifying definitions; providing for the determination of fair market value; modifying notice requirements for permit applicants; amending procedures for the adjudication of disputes between telecommunications carriers; providing exemptions to certain dig once requirements; and authorizing the Division of Highways to, upon approval of the governor, transfer or assign the ownership, control, or any rights related to any in-kind compensation received by the division to any other state agency.
|
Dig once |
West Virginia |
HB 3050 |
Adds a new article, designated §11-13EE-1, §11-13EE-2, §11-13EE-3, §11-13EE-4, and §11-13EE-5, all relating to establishing the West Virginia Municipal Broadband Expansion Act; provides legislative findings and purpose; defines terms; provides rule-making authority; provides for customer tax rebate and tax credit incentives; sets standards for service providers; and establishes equipment value.
|
Municipal, Taxes |
West Virginia |
HB 3142
Signed by governor March 27, 2019, Act 256 |
Reduces the severance tax on thermal or steam coal incrementally; provides for an elimination of the severance tax on limestone or sandstone; establishes minimum amounts of distribution of portion of severance taxes on coal dedicated for use and benefit of coal producing counties. |
Funding |
West Virginia |
SB 3
Signed by governor March 27, 2019, Act 42 |
Adds a new article, designated §11-6L-1, §11-6L-2, §11-6L-3, §11-6L-4, and §11-6L-5; adds three new sections, designated §31G-4-4, §31G-4-5, and §31G-4-6; 3 and adds a new chapter, designated §31H-1-1, §31H-1-4 2, §31H-2-1, §31H-2-2, §31H-2-3, and §31H-2-4, all relating generally to wireless telecommunication technology facilities; providing a special method for valuation of certain wireless technology property for property taxes; defining terms; providing mandated salvage valuation of certain wireless businesses’ property; specifying method for valuation of certain property; requiring initial determination and specifying procedure for protest and appeal of determination; establishing and delineating Public Service Commission jurisdiction over make-ready pole access within the state; determining the feasibility of electric utilities constructing and operating middle-mile broadband Internet projects to serve certain unserved and underserved areas; defining certain terms; delineating the factors that must be contained in certain feasibility studies; requiring the Broadband Enhancement Council and the Public Service Commission to assist electric utilities in the determination of the feasibility of certain proposed middle-mile broadband development projects; requiring that the Broadband Enhancement Council render a judgment as to the feasibility of middle-mile broadband Internet projects within a certain period of time; requiring certain reports be submitted to certain officials and committees; providing for severability; establishing the West Virginia Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act; making legislative findings; defining terms; providing for access to public rights-of-way for the collocation of small wireless facilities; providing for certain permit requirements; authorizing and limiting access to collocation sites, structures, and equipment; requiring permits to be issued on a nondiscriminatory basis; providing for the collection of fees and setting the amount of fees; and providing for certain zoning, indemnification, insurance, and bonding requirements.
|
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved, Taxes |
West Virginia |
SB 270
Signed by governor March 7, 2019, Act 235 |
Amends and reenacts §17-2A-17a of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; and amends and reenacts §17-2E-2, §17-2E-3, §17-2E-5, and §17-2E-6 of said code, all relating to the use of state-owned rights-of-way; modifying requirements related to accommodation leases; providing for the determination of fair market value and compensation for accommodation leases; amending procedures and requirements of the state’s dig once policy; modifying definitions; providing for the determination of fair market value and compensation to Division of Highways relating to dig once policy; modifying notice requirements for permit applicants; amending procedures for the adjudication of disputes between telecommunications carriers; providing certain exemptions from dig once requirements; and authorizing the Division of Highways to, upon approval of the governor, transfer or assign the ownership, control, or any rights related to any in-kind compensation received by the division to any other state agency.
|
Dig Once |
West Virginia |
SB 390 |
Amends the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §31G-4-4, relating to determining the feasibility of electric utilities constructing and operating middle-mile broadband Internet projects to serve certain unserved and underserved areas; defining certain terms; delineating the factors that must be contained in certain feasibility studies; requiring the Broadband Enhancement Council and the Public Service Commission to assist electric utilities in determining the feasibility of certain proposed middle-mile broadband development projects; permitting the Broadband Enhancement Council render a judgment as to the feasibility of middle-mile broadband internet projects within a certain period of time; and requiring certain reports be submitted to certain officials and committees.
|
Infrastructure, Rural and Underserved |
West Virginia |
SR 19 |
Designates a day in January, as Broadband Day at Capitol. |
|
Wisconsin |
AB 234 |
This bill creates a regulatory framework for the state and political subdivisions (cities, villages, towns, and counties) for the following: 1) the deployment by wireless services and infrastructure providers (wireless providers) of wireless equipment and facilities, including the placement of such items in rights-of-way (ROW); 2) the permitting process for certain activities by wireless providers; 3) the regulation of access to certain governmental structures by wireless providers; and 4) the resolution of disputes. The bill also authorizes political subdivisions to impose setback requirements for certain mobile service support structures.
|
Infrastructure |
Wisconsin |
AB 344 |
This bill exempts property used to provide broadband service to a rural or underserved area from the telephone company tax that is paid by telephone companies in lieu of the general property tax. To qualify for the exemption, property installed prior to Jan. 1, 2020, must be used to provide Internet access service to a rural area at a download speed of at least 25 megabits per second and an upload speed of at least 3 megabits per second. Property installed after Dec. 31, 2019, must be used to provide Internet access service to a rural or underserved area at those same speeds or, if higher, speeds designated by the Federal Communications Commission. Under the bill, an “underserved area” is any area in the state served by fewer than two wired service providers, and a “rural area” is any area in the state that is located outside a federal metropolitan statistical area or is located in a city, village, or town with a population of not more than 14,000. For property installed prior to Jan. 1, 2020, the determination of whether an area is a rural area is based on the 2010 federal decennial census.
|
Taxes |
Wisconsin |
SB 239
Signed by governor July 10, 2019, Act 14 |
Limits the authority of the state and political subdivisions to regulate certain wireless facilities; authorizes political subdivisions to impose setback requirements for certain mobile service support structures. |
Infrastructure |
Wisconsin |
SB 321 |
This bill exempts property used to provide broadband service to a rural or underserved area from the telephone company tax that is paid by telephone companies in lieu of the general property tax. To qualify for the exemption, property installed prior to Jan. 1, 2020, must be used to provide Internet access service to a rural area at a download speed of at least 25 megabits per second and an upload speed of at least 3 megabits per second. Property installed after Dec. 31, 2019, must be used to provide Internet access service to a rural or underserved area at those same speeds or, if higher, speeds designated by the Federal Communications Commission. Under the bill, an “underserved area” is any area in the state served by fewer than two wired service providers, and a “rural area” is any area in the state that is located outside a federal metropolitan statistical area or is located in a city, village, or town with a population of not more than 14,000. For property installed prior to Jan. 1, 2020, the determination of whether an area is a rural area is based on the 2010 federal decennial census.
|
Taxes |
Wyoming |
HB 97
Signed by governor Feb. 26, 2019, Chapter 120 |
This act exempts sales of equipment used to provide broadband internet service in unserved areas, as defined in W.S. 9-12-1501(e), from state sales and use taxes.
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Infrastructure, Taxes |
Wyoming |
HB 98
Signed by governor Feb. 27, 2019, Chapter 138 |
Current law authorizes public utilities to install equipment and facilities within the right-of-way of a public road or public waterway. This bill extends the right-of-way authorization to communications companies.
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Infrastructure |
Wyoming |
HB 247
Signed by governor Feb. 26, 2019, Chapter 119 |
The Broadband Development Program (Program) was established under existing law "to provide funds to eligible applicants in order to promote the expansion of access to broadband service in unserved areas of the state." W.S. 9-12-1501(a). "Unserved area" is currently defined under the Program to mean, among other things, an area in which the maximum fixed terrestrial broadband speed available to residential customers is 10 megabits per second download and 1 megabit per second upload. W.S. 9-12-1501(e). This act modifies that definition to mean, among other things, an area in which the maximum fixed terrestrial broadband speed available to residential customers is at speeds less than 25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload. The act also modifies the rulemaking authority of the Wyoming Business Council to change the definition of "unserved area" for purposes of the Program from an effective date of July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022.
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Governance, High Speed, Rural and Underserved |
Wyoming |
SF 110 |
Relates to select committees, task Forces and legislative appointments; repeals the legislative management audit committee; repeals select committees and legislatively created task forces; amends legislative appointments to task forces, councils and commissions as specified; makes conforming amendments; repeals reporting requirements; changes the membership on the broadband advisory council. |
Governance |