SB 1661 Summary

• Adds chapter 15 to Arizona Revised Statutes to establish broadband service district authorities responsible for facilitating broadband deployment and connectivity for agricultural purposes.

• Allows groups of individuals, businesses, or organizations in counties with populations between 200,000 and 210,000 persons to petition county boards of supervisors to form a broadband service district authority.

• Authorities may receive funding from government agencies, private organizations, and service fees charged to broadband users, but cannot levy new taxes or deploy last-mile residential broadband.

• Requires authority boards to consist of 5-7 members representing district stakeholders, with powers to enter contracts, manage funds, acquire property, and report annually on broadband deployment progress.

• Formation requires submission of an application to the county board of supervisors detailing district boundaries, petitioner names, board selection methodology, and proposed authority name, followed by a public hearing held within six weeks.