Bill > HB695

This bill establishes new rules for pole attachments in Montana, focusing on ensuring competitive access to utility poles for broadband service providers. The legislation requires pole owners who have received broadband grant funding or offer broadband services to allow other service providers to attach their equipment to utility poles. Specifically, any grant agreement for broadband funding must now require applicants and their affiliates to comply with these access rules throughout their in-state service territory. If a pole owner fails to provide access, an aggrieved attacher can file a civil action in the Lewis and Clark County district court, where they may be awarded actual damages, equitable relief, and attorney fees if successful. The bill defines key terms such as "affiliate" (entities under common ownership or in business partnerships), "attacher" (entities entitled to make pole attachments), "broadband grant funding" (state or federal funds for broadband deployment), and "pole owner" (entities owning electric distribution poles, excluding certain utilities). The legislation is immediately effective upon passage and is intended to be codified as a new chapter in Montana's state laws, aimed at promoting broader and more competitive broadband infrastructure deployment.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC4018