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House panel broadens 'critical infrastructure' definition to include telecommunications gear
Summary
The Kansas House Committee of the Whole advanced HB 2061 to the full House after committee amendments expanded the legal definition of ‘‘critical infrastructure facility’’ to explicitly include wireline, broadband and wireless telecommunications and related structures, sponsors said.
House Bill 2,061 advanced out of the Committee of the Whole on a motion to adopt the committee report and was reported favorably for passage. The bill revises the definition of ‘‘critical infrastructure facility’’ in statutes governing trespass and criminal damage to make explicit that telecommunication and video services infrastructure are included.
Sponsors and proponents told lawmakers the change is intended to make clear that lines, antennas, radio transceivers, towers, support structures, equipment buildings and other related equipment used for wireline, broadband or wireless services are covered whether located inside or outside public rights-of-way. The committee adopted an amendment listing above- and below-ground lines, antennas, towers and other supporting equipment.
The carrier of the measure explained the amendment and noted that Charter Communications and AT&T offered proponent testimony in committee; no opponents testified. The sponsor said the change is not expected to have a fiscal impact on the state budget.
During floor discussion, Representative Osman said she had support for the bill after caucus discussion and encouraged members to ‘‘vote your district.’’ Representative Penn questioned the carrier about the sponsor's military service, and the carrier confirmed deployments and service details on the record.
On a voice vote in the Committee of the Whole, members adopted the committee report and moved HB 2,061 forward. The Committee of the Whole recommendation to pass the bill was subsequently adopted when the committee report was accepted by the House.
The bill's text narrows and specifies the statutory definition of critical infrastructure facilities for the crimes of trespass and criminal damage; it does not, in committee testimony, change penalties or enforcement procedures.
Outlook: With the committee report adopted and the Committee of the Whole recommendation accepted, HB 2,061 was placed on the House calendar for further action consistent with the body's procedures.
