Mayors Oppose Federal, State Preemption in Proposed Resolution

Federal and state governments should protect municipal control over the right of way and their ability to receive fair-market compensation for access to public assets, including for small cells, said a U.S. Conference of Mayors proposed resolution that was amended and adopted Thursday by the conference's Transportation and Communications Committee. It still needs OK by the full body. Partnerships, not deregulation and preemption, will bring universal broadband, it said. FCC preemption threatens localities’ ability to provide public safety and health services during the pandemic, it said. The resolution urged passage of various local government bills including HR-530, S-2012, S-3218 and HR-5659. The FCC didn’t comment. Cities challenged the FCC’s June wireless infrastructure order earlier this week (see 2006240060).