HB14-1327: Broadband Deployment Act

• Local governments must approve broadband facility permits within 90 days for collocations or 150 days for new structures, with time stopped during first incomplete application notice only.

• Broadband providers may file consolidated applications for small cell networks and multiple wireless facility collocations, with decisions rendered in single administrative proceedings.

• State and political subdivisions must provide 10+ business days notice to broadband providers before utility trenching projects and allow joint trenching by broadband providers on nondiscriminatory basis, except when it hinders highway safety or infrastructure operations.

• Broadband providers may claim refunds of all state sales and use taxes paid for tangible personal property deployed in rural target areas (unincorporated counties or municipalities under 30,000 people), with annual refund cap of $1 million and prorated if exceeded.

• Appropriates $73,725 and 0.9 FTE to Department of Revenue for implementation, with act taking effect August 6, 2014, subject to referendum petition.