States Pass Bills on 988, Robocalls

State legislatures passed several telecom bills in votes Wednesday. A Maryland bill to fund the 988 mental health hotline passed the legislature. The Senate voted 46-0 for HB-271 after the House passed it unanimously last month. The legislature earlier passed SB-3, which also requires Maryland’s governor to include $12 million for 988 in the FY 2025 budget (see 2303290064). Arizona and Washington state legislatures passed anti-robocalls bills. The Arizona Senate voted 25-5 for HB-2498, which the House passed unanimously in February (see 2303090030). The Washington Senate voted 48-0 for HB-1051, which the House passed unanimously in February (see 2302280047). If signed by Gov. Jay Inslee (D), the Washington bill will give the attorney general's office "additional tools to hold illegal robocallers accountable," said AG Bob Ferguson (D) Thursday. The Texas Senate voted 31-0 to pass SB-1238, which would update Texas laws to prepare for incoming federal dollars from NTIA’s broadband, equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program. The House will next consider the bill, which contains a fiber preference that split AT&T and Verizon at a hearing last month (see 2303210043). New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D) signed HB-160 to allow the state transportation commission to waive right-of-way fees for installing infrastructure in unserved or underserved areas (see 2303170038).