Telecom, Media Bills Advance in 4 States

Washington state lawmakers passed bills on broadband mapping, digital media literacy and digital right to repair. Colorado, Montana and Hawaii lawmakers supported bills on telecom support. The House voted 95-1 Saturday to send to the Senate HB-1746, which would require the state broadband office to develop a map by July 1, 2024 (see 2302150030). Also, the House voted 58-38 for the repair bill (HB-1392), which was opposed Jan. 30 by a trade group coalition including CTA, CTIA, TechNet and NetChoice. It goes to the other chamber. The Washington Senate voted 44-4 Friday to send to the House SB-5626 to require school curriculum on media literacy and digital citizenship. Voting on unanimous consent Friday in Colorado, the Senate passed a bill (HB-1051) to continue subsidies from Colorado's high-cost support mechanism (HCSM) to a dozen rural telecom providers until Sept. 1, 2024 (see 2302270072). The House passed the bill last month, so it can now go to the governor. The Montana House sent the Senate HB-804, which would require state, local or tribal oversight of private ISP broadband development. The Hawaii Senate Ways and Means Committee voted 12-0 Friday for SB-1317 to appropriate state funding for matching requirements in federal broadband programs (see 2302160070). SB-1317 may get a Senate vote as soon as Tuesday.