Wis. Passes Broadband Legislation; Other States Advance Bills

The Wisconsin legislature passed a broadband bill that would narrow what areas may receive grants but not limit by speed what projects could get money. The Assembly voted 60-36 Wednesday after the Senate voted 20-12 last week for SB-365. It would direct the Public Service Commission to focus its broadband grant program on unserved areas where no provider has service with 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds, though a Senate amendment removed language to restrict grants to projects not capable of 100/20 Mbps, according to a summary. The Senate amendment also removed a prohibition of awarding grants to projects that don’t include at least 40% matching funds, and it deleted a proposed mechanism for the PSC to collect broadband data from ISP grantees to develop and maintain a state map. SB-365 still needs the governor’s signature. Also Wednesday, Arizona lawmakers supported making a state broadband office. The House voted 46-13 Wednesday to send HB-2678 to the Senate. The House Commerce Committee unanimously cleared the bill last week (see 2202160015). The Iowa House voted 93-4 for HB-2296 requiring municipalities to provide nondiscriminatory access to right of way and municipally owned conduit to install broadband infrastructure. It goes to the Senate.