The original bill
reduced the state communications services and direct-to-home satellite services tax rate by one percent, but the bill was significantly amended to include changes to the law on the use of public rights-of-way, including provisions on small wireless infrastructure.
CS/HB 693 repeals important, agreed upon provisions of the 2017 small wireless infrastructure law, and further strips cities of the ability to regulate the placement of communications equipment in public rights-of-way.
The following provisions were added to the bill:
- removal of language from 2017 that requires wireless providers to comply with local government nondiscriminatory utility undergrounding requirements;
- places “small wireless infrastructure” shot clocks on all other communications infrastructure in the public rights-of-way;
- reduces local control on the placement of new poles in rights of way; and
- numerous new limitations on city/county authority in the permitting process/regulation of rights of way.
