Fla. Panel Unanimously Clears Pole Replacement Bill
Seeking to spur broadband installation in unserved areas, a Florida panel cleared a proposed pole replacement fund at a livestreamed Tuesday hearing. The Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee voted 11-0 for related bills SB-1800 and SB-1802 with…
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amendments to remove language specifying how they will be funded. As amended, the bill would structure but not pay for a program whereby the state could remove existing poles and replace them with new ones to support broadband in areas lacking service, said sponsor Sen. Jim Boyd (R). The state could use federal funding, including from the infrastructure law once it arrives, he said. The bill is one piece of a bigger puzzle to spread broadband, said Sen. Loranne Ausley (D), co-chair of progressive NewDEAL Forum’s Broadband Task Force. However, Ausley said she's concerned the state broadband office is already understaffed. Boyd said the office should be able to find contractors or add employees once federal funding becomes available.