House committee advances bill to modify broadband installer certification timeline and staffing rules

Representative Schultz moved House File 47, an amendment to the state telecommunications installer law, and the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee voted to send the bill to the general register after approving an A1 amendment.

The bill as amended would adjust parts of last year’s certification requirement for underground telecommunications installers, clarifying staffing requirements for directional boring and creating more flexibility on the timing and delivery of the mandated training. Representative Michael Schultz, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the goal is “to make this workable for us” while preserving safety standards and allowing broadband deployment to continue.

The bill’s proponents said the current law requires every broadband installer to complete a new 40‑hour training program and pass an exam by a July 1, 2025 deadline for the 7‑county metro area. Melissa Wolf, executive director of the Minnesota Cable Communications Association, told committee members that “without a deadline extension, there will…