Governors Sign Easements, NG-911 Bills

Oklahoma will open electrical utility easements to broadband networks by ISPs and electric companies. Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed HB-1965 Thursday, two days after it passed the legislature (see 2305110016). The same day in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed SB-1418, which aims to support the state’s transition to next-generation 911 (see 2305030064). In Illinois, the Senate voted 56-0 Thursday to pass SB-851, which would require the state’s broadband advisory council to study expanding the Illinois Century Network to public schools, libraries and prisons.