Bill > SB150

This bill amends the Telecommunications Regulatory Reform Act of 2013 to provide additional access to Federal Communications Commission-defined broadband service in Arkansas. The key provisions are: 1. It expands the definition of "government entity" to include all Arkansas state agencies, public educational entities, and political subdivisions, allowing them to potentially provide broadband services. 2. It allows government entities that own electric utility or television signal distribution systems to provide voice, data, broadband, video, or wireless telecommunications services, except for basic local exchange service. 3. It permits government entities to apply for funding under grant or loan programs to deploy broadband service in unserved areas and then provide those services directly or indirectly. 4. It declares an emergency, stating that reliable high-speed broadband is essential for a community's success and is currently unavailable in many rural areas, making this act immediately necessary to expand the benefits of broadband to all residents of Arkansas.

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http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2019/2019R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=SB150