Committee considers amendment to speed pole‑attachment process as federal broadband funds arrive

The Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications Committee heard detailed testimony and an amendment proposal focused on accelerating pole attachments and rural broadband deployment as federal and state funding becomes available. Committee leadership presented an amendment that would require utilities and telecommunications providers to reach a signed inter‑party agreement by Oct. 1 and establish mandatory timelines for notification, permitting and project completion when government funds are involved.

Under the amendment as described by the chair, an entity that signs a state contract to deploy broadband must publish the contract on its website within five days and meet with the pole owner within 60 days to coordinate engineering and make‑ready requirements. The amendment would require an attaching provider to submit permit applications within 24 months of contract signing; the pole owner would have six months to approve,…