Senate Bill 19-107 Summary

• Allows cooperative electric utilities to install broadband facilities on their electric easements without property owner consent after providing 30 days' notice to affected property owners.

• Requires electric utilities with broadband affiliates to maintain separate accounting systems, conduct independent financial audits every two years, and prohibits cross-subsidization of broadband service using electric utility revenues.

• Establishes a 2-year statute of limitations for property owner claims related to broadband installation, with damages limited to fair market value of property reduction, excluding rental value and facility profits.

• Mandates non-discriminatory treatment of commercial broadband suppliers regarding pole attachment access, fees, and terms, with utilities prohibited from preferentially treating affiliated broadband providers.

• Effective August 2, 2019, subject to referendum petition; if challenged, takes effect only upon voter approval at November 2020 general election.