Assembly Bill 509 would update Nevada's public‑right‑of‑way and licensing statutes to create a defined pathway for "broadband‑only" service providers to obtain local licenses and contracts to install and operate infrastructure in municipal and county rights‑of‑way.

Craig Stevens of Cox Communications, who led stakeholder negotiations on the measure, told the committee the statute needed an update to reflect modern market structures: "Technology advancement has led us to a place in Nevada to open a new lane for these broadband only providers," Stevens said. The bill defines who is — and is not — a broadband‑only provider, creates an enabling local licensing framework, and preserves existing rights for companies already authorized under federal or state law.

Stevens and witnesses pointed to expected federal broadband funding (the testimony noted the upcoming Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program) and said a clear statutory path will reduce confusion for municipalities, providers and ratepayers as new firms seek permits and use of the right‑of‑way. The City of Las Vegas, the City of Henderson and regional chambers testified in support; Google Fiber, Charter, AT&T, T‑Mobile and other carriers engaged in the stakeholder process and ultimately registered support or neutrality after substantial negotiation.

Testimony emphasized that the bill is intentionally narrow and does not change franchise‑fee relationships for incumbent cable or telephone companies that already operate under separate statutory authority. Several telecoms and local governments asked for, and received, clarifying amendments during the stakeholders' drafting process; T‑Mobile, AT&T and Charter noted the bill addresses their principal concerns and registered neutral support in committee.

No organized opposition appeared in committee testimony; the bill's sponsors and stakeholders said the amended language represented a compromise that balances municipal rights, consumer protections and the need to streamline permitting for new broadband entrants.

Ending: After extensive stakeholder negotiation and multiple technical amendments, AB509 was presented to the committee with broad industry and local‑government backing. The measure is designed to create regulatory certainty for new broadband providers while protecting existing statutory frameworks for incumbent carriers.