summary
Introduced
02/07/2025
02/07/2025
In Committee
05/07/2025
05/07/2025
Crossed Over
04/09/2025
04/09/2025
Passed
08/15/2025
08/15/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
08/15/2025
08/15/2025
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Electric Supplier Act. Provides that the amendatory provisions may be referred to as the Electrical Service Broadband Deployment and Access Law. Defines terms. Provides that a broadband grant recipient, subject to the recipient's broadband grant, may access and use (i) any existing electric easement held or controlled by the broadband grant recipient or (ii) any other existing electric easement contingent upon an agreement with the easement holder or controller for the delivery of such broadband service by such broadband grant recipient. Sets forth provisions concerning notice and the procedures for the landowner to claim just compensation. Provides that, conditional upon acquiring the proper agreement or permit with the highway right-of-way controller or holder, a broadband grant recipient may install, maintain, and use broadband infrastructure below ground along a highway right-of-way within the grant service area. Sets forth provisions concerning labor standards and protection, including requiring the payment of prevailing wages and benefits to workers. Provides that the rights and obligations of broadband project grant recipients and landowners set forth in the amendatory provisions do not apply on and after January 1, 2030. Amends the Broadband Infrastructure Advancement Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, when evaluating grant applications for the deployment of broadband network, must consider the expediency with which a project can be completed and broadband Internet access service delivered. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill expands the ability of electric cooperatives to deploy broadband infrastructure by creating the Electrical Service Broadband Deployment and Access Law. The legislation allows broadband grant recipients to access and use existing electric easements for installing broadband infrastructure, subject to specific notification and compensation requirements for property owners. Electric cooperatives can now enter properties within their grant service area to deploy broadband infrastructure, provided they give at least 14 but not more than 60 days' written notice to property owners and offer just compensation for any diminution in property value. The bill mandates that broadband grant recipients follow labor standards, including paying prevailing wages and ensuring apprentices perform a specified percentage of labor hours. Workers must be paid according to Davis-Bacon Act standards, and electric cooperatives must submit monthly compliance reports to the Department of Labor. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity must now consider project completion speed when evaluating broadband deployment grant applications, and the law includes provisions for covering acquisition costs of licenses, easements, and rights-of-way. Importantly, these provisions will sunset on January 1, 2030, meaning the expanded rights and obligations will no longer apply after that date. The bill aims to improve broadband access in potentially underserved areas by providing electric cooperatives with more flexibility in infrastructure deployment.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs, Labor and Employment
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0426 (on 08/15/2025)
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