Idaho Bills

Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to provide for the timing of the permitting process relating to broadband infrastructure.

Improving broadband capacity and internet connectivity around the state is an ongoing priority for both the Idaho Legislature and Governor. That priority has led to granting hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal funds to pubic and private entities committed to building out new broadband in Idaho. Each one of those projects requires permitting. Some permits can be from cities, counties, highway districts, the state, and utility companies. Most of those permits, no matter which entity may grant them, are for broadband providers and their partners to utilize right-of-way or utility poles. The Idaho Broadband Advisory Board, which includes members of the Legislature, has heard repeated testimony from providers that the slow permitting process is causing delays, slowing down the important work of expanding broadband in Idaho. This bill seeks to resolve that problem by requiring local permitting agencies to make decisions on broadband and other telecommunication projects within a set period of time. The agencies are not required to approve the projects, but they are required to make decisions. If they fail to make decisions within the set timeline, the projects are deemed approved. The bill also includes broadband among the providers who can come before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission if there is a dispute between a broadband provider and the utility partner. The bill sets forth a process for the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to convene a negotiated rulemaking process between utilities and broadband providers to determine a process for pole-attachment permits.