Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Broadband Connectmaine topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs delayed repeal and review of ConnectMaine authority
Summary
The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee voted 8–5 to convert LD 19 75, which would repeal the Advanced Technology Infrastructure Act (ConnectMaine), into a resolve requiring a coordinated transition and a delayed effective date to allow a strategic planning process with Maine Connectivity Authority.
The joint standing committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology voted to report LD 19 75 "ought to pass as amended," converting a proposal to repeal the Advanced Technology Infrastructure Act into a statutory resolve and delaying repeal to allow a planned transition.
The bill, introduced by Representative Ducharme, would repeal the chapter that establishes the ConnectMaine Authority and associated assessments but analyst Lindsay Laxon told the committee the printed bill contains several technical and substantive gaps — including changes to definitions of "advanced communications technology infrastructure," removal of references to the state broadband policy, and strikes of statutory references that affect notice obligations and make‑ready cost rules.
Sponsor Representative Ducharme said he seeks to remove redundancy between two authorities and to end a small per‑line fee intended originally to support ConnectMaine. "I think it's a good time to clean these things up," he said, adding he has an amendment to link repeal to the end of an existing memorandum of understanding on June 30, 2027.
Maine Connectivity Authority Director Mr. Butcher told the committee that while deployment has advanced and federally funded programs have dramatically expanded broadband infrastructure, roughly 200,000 "underserved" locations remain and several statutory obligations tied to affordability and use remain in place. He urged an orderly transition rather than an immediate repeal.
After members debated options — immediate repeal, delayed effective date, or a resolve directing the two entities to prepare consolidation recommendations — the committee agreed to an amendment that inserts a report‑back process and delays repeal. The roll call recorded eight members in favor and five opposed; the committee also recorded a minority report reflecting the sponsor's original repeal with a June 30, 2027 effective date and technical fixes.
Next steps: the amended resolve will be reported out of committee with the expectation that ConnectMaine and MCA will undertake a strategic planning process and return recommendations to the committee per the amended language.
