Bill > SB3838

Introduced Session

Creates the Broadband Deployment Act. Sets forth findings. Defines terms. 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 along a highway right-of-way. Provides that no property owner of property located within the highway right-of-way shall forbid or prevent a proposed broadband grant recipient from entering upon the property for purposes of and in connection with the deployment of broadband infrastructure, nor shall any such property owner forbid or prohibit the broadband grant recipient from deploying upon, beneath, or over that property broadband infrastructure utilized by the broadband grant recipient for such broadband service. Provides that the broadband grant recipient must notify the property owner in writing by sending notification to the property owner's address specified in the online or publicly available records of the applicable county assessor (i) by the United States Postal Service, certified mail, return receipt requested; (ii) by a designated private delivery service, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service, that provides the same function as certified mail with return receipt; or (iii) by personally serving the notification. Sets forth requirements for the content of the notice. Provides that if the property owner intends to demand just compensation, the property owner must serve written notice thereof upon the broadband grant recipient within 45 days after the anticipated date of broadband deployment as provided in the notice to the property owner. Provides that neither the property owner's notice to demand just compensation, nor the property owner's assertion of a specific claim for just compensation, nor the initiation of any legal action to enforce the claim of just compensation shall delay or impair the right of the broadband grant recipient to deploy broadband infrastructure and provide broadband service within or upon, beneath, or over certain property. Provides that the rights and obligations of broadband grant recipients and landowners set forth in the amendatory provisions do not apply on and after January 1, 2030. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Patrick Joyce (D)*,  Paul Faraci (D),  Napoleon Harris (D), 

Assigned to Energy and Public Utilities (on 02/24/2026)

Official Document