CommitteeHolds Public Hearing on HB 606 to Change Utility Relocation Reimbursement Rules

A House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure committee held a public hearing on House Bill 606, a measure that would remove a $250,000,000 gross-income threshold from state law and require departments to obtain relocation cost estimates from utilities when planning state road projects.

Proponents said the change would protect rural broadband expansion plans. Justin Bailey, with the Alvin and Caleb Robbing Association, told the committee the state recently received $1,400,000,000 in federal funding to expand broadband and that broadband projects operate “with very slim margins.” He said unanticipated relocation costs create uncertainty for providers and that HB 606 would help make companies eligible to be considered for reimbursement.

The committee heard detailed fiscal concerns from the Alabama Department of Transportation. Tony Harris, chief of communication and government…