Broadband bill fails to pass the Legislature

Up until the evening of adjournment, some members of the Legislature were working to pass SB 5935, a bill that would have required certain cities to adopt or update policies relating to the deployment of small cell technology. Last week, the Technology & Economic Development Committee passed a stripped-down version of the bill, without the small cell sections. Conversations continued about whether to keep these sections out or put them back in. Cities made amendment suggestions on various drafts of the bill but in the end, the bill did not pass the Legislature.

The bill would have also created the Governor’s Office on Broadband Access to serve as a conduit for federal funds and to facilitate an update to the state’s goals and standards for broadband service. There continues to be interest in having a state Broadband Office, including from cities seeking better broadband services in their communities.

Several cities are proceeding with adoption of their own small cell ordinances or policies. All cities might want to consider a local approach, given that the Legislature is likely to pick this issue up again next session.