Committee approves PUC pole‑attachment rules to implement HB 188

Taylor Thomas, administrator of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, presented a negotiated rulemaking package the commission forwarded to the Senate State Affairs Committee to implement House Bill 188 and to set Idaho-specific pole‑attachment procedures.

Thomas said the rulemaking followed stakeholder meetings, negotiated rulemaking and a public hearing. "This proposed rule implements the requirements from House Bill 188 and carries out the authority granted under Idaho Code chapter 61, section 538, subsection 5," he told the committee, noting the bill was signed by Governor Little on April 4, 2025 and became effective July 1.

Key elements Thomas highlighted include a definitions section; standardized calendar‑day timelines for three order sizes (regular: under 150 poles; mid: 151–500; large: 501–1,500); shortened review periods (seven days in many cases); nondiscriminatory access requirements for pole owners; clarified make‑ready work rules tied to a narrowed "good and sufficient cause" definition; and an expedited dispute-resolution pathway referencing existing IDAPA procedures.

Committee members asked whether large landowners had been engaged in the negotiated process; Thomas said he did not recall large landowners participating and offered to follow up. Senator Taves moved to approve docket 31‑2701‑2501; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.

The new rules aim to create predictable timelines for attaching entities, reduce disputes between utilities and attachers, and promote broadband deployment while preserving safety and reliability standards. The committee recorded no roll‑call vote; staff said additional technical comments and implementation details would continue to be addressed by the commission and staff as needed.

The committee proceeded to other agenda items after approving the docket.