Bill > HB166

This bill establishes a special legislative committee to study the technological transition of Internet service providers (ISPs) in New Hampshire from copper-based to fiber-optic infrastructure. The committee will consist of five members: three representatives from the House of Representatives (with at least one from each party) and two senators (one from each party), who will be appointed by their respective leadership. The committee's primary duties include inviting ISPs, broadband providers, community leaders, public utilities commission representatives, and other experts to discuss the transition plans and its potential impacts. Members will receive mileage reimbursement and will elect a chairperson, with the first meeting required within 45 days of the bill's effective date. The committee is tasked with producing a draft report by November 1, 2025, and a final report by November 1, 2026, which will analyze the transition's implications for consumers, including potential changes in access, costs, economic development, educational and healthcare opportunities, and overall Internet connectivity. The bill aims to understand and provide recommendations about the significant technological shift from traditional copper wire networks to modern fiber-optic communication infrastructure.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_status/legacy/bs2016/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=0140&sy=2025&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2025&txtbillnumber=HB166