In a recent Arkansas State Legislature session, the Republican Women’s Legislative Caucus introduced SB 150, aimed at taking on the issue of poor connectivity by restoring local telecommunications authority.
Community Networks reported that Senator Breanne Davis is the lead sponsor of SB 150, which would repeal restrictions preventing communities from developing broadband networks. Current law has an exception for communities that have a municipal electric utility but if SB 150 is adopted, any government entity will be able to offer high-quality connectivity.
According to Davis, “About 40 percent of Arkansans don’t have access to broadband as defined by the FCC, so we decided to change that. Our bill simply lifts the ban on cities and counties being able to either partner in a public-private partnership or go out on their own when no one will partner with them and apply for some of these grants that are available through the federal government.”
SB 150 unanimously passed its first committee stop on February 7, in the Insurance and Commerce Committee. It was amended from its original language to allow it to take effect immediately so local communities can apply for federal USDA funding to be made available in Arkansas for broadband infrastructure. The committee sent the bill back to the Senate for full consideration, reported Community Networks.
February 14, 2019
Reader Interactions