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House delays telecom Utopia bill for more work after lengthy floor debate
Summary
Members debated first substitute SB 66, raising taxpayer risk, provider exclusivity and technology obsolescence; the bill was circled for amendment work and later placed on the time‑certain calendar at 3:00 p.m. for further consideration.
First substitute Senate Bill 66, addressing telecommunications projects and municipal involvement in Utopia‑style networks, drew an extended floor discussion on the House calendar and was ultimately circled and scheduled for further consideration at a time certain.
Representative Urquhart and other speakers warned about fiscal risk to taxpayers, potential exclusivity to private providers (AT&T) in some municipal models, and the danger of locking into technology that may be obsolete. One legislator framed the question as: should taxpayers be "on the hook for 20 years" for infrastructure that the market may outpace. Others urged circling the bill so amendments could be posted and fully considered. The House voted to circle the bill; after additional motions it was later uncircled solely to set it on the time‑certain calendar for 3:00 p.m. that afternoon.
Outcome and next steps: SB 66 will return to the House calendar at the scheduled time certain to consider posted amendments and continue debate. Members indicated they sought amendments and cross‑referenced language to ensure substantive review before passage.
