HB1926 Summary

• Creates the "Wireless Communications and Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Act" as a new subchapter of Arkansas Code Title 23, Chapter 17, establishing statewide standards for wireless facility deployment in public rights-of-way

• Grants wireless providers the same rights as telephone and telegraph companies to install and maintain wireless facilities in public rights-of-way; prohibits political subdivisions from charging franchise fees or revenue-based fees, limiting charges to $20 annual access fee per facility

• Establishes expedited permitting processes requiring political subdivisions to determine application completeness within 10 business days and deem applications approved if not acted upon within 60 days for small wireless facilities and utility poles

• Prohibits exclusive arrangements for utility pole attachments and limits collocation fees to $20 annually per pole; requires good faith estimates for make-ready work within 60 days and restricts fees to actual costs without consultant expenses

• Restricts new utility poles and wireless support structures to heights not exceeding 10 feet above existing poles or 50 feet above ground level, with exemptions for structures approved through zoning processes; prohibits moratoriums on permit filing or processing