The Senate Committee on Government Organization be this morning to discuss one bill.
House Bill 3093 would establish Broadband Enhancement and Expansion Policies. The bill was voted to be reconsidered by the committee as there was no abstract attached to the bill at the time of the first vote due to a strike and insert amendment. The bill would allow Internet Service Providers to create co-ops to extend their broadband to rural areas. The co-ops would use their own money to upgrade the services. There were representatives from the telecommunications industry to explain the bill’s relation to the owners of power poles, the upgrading process, and the way lines are put on the poles by different companies.
Senator Boso (R-Nicholas) found in questioning that as long as there was space on the pose there is no reason that the service shouldn’t be provided.
Council informed the committee of the changes in the current bill from the previous version of it.
The strike and insert amendment was adopted.
The bill was reported to the Senate floor with the recommendation that it pass as amended.
