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Committee hears HB 2544 creating relocation reimbursement fund for communications providers; members press on funding and equity
Summary
HB 2544 would create a state relocation reimbursement assistance fund to compensate eligible communications providers for municipal requests to relocate facilities in public rights of way, seeded by a $2,000,000 annual transfer from SGF (premium tax revenue). Advocates for broadband argued the fund mitigates unanticipated forced‑relocation costs; municipal and county witnesses cautioned about precedent and local impacts.
The Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications took testimony on House Bill 2544, which would establish a Relocation Reimbursement Assistance Fund to reimburse eligible communications service providers for costs of relocating facilities in public rights‑of‑way when the move follows a municipality’s order or request. The bill authorizes the state treasurer to administer the new fund, requires the treasurer to accept annual applications and, if money is insufficient, to prorate awards based on applicants’ relative costs. The bill would begin with a $2,000,000 transfer from the State General Fund (funds identified as coming from premium taxes on insurance companies) and specifies that transfer as an annual demand transfer; the bill was drafted to take effect upon publication…
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