Loading chat...

FL S0626

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/9/2023

Primary Sponsor

Regulated Industries

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2023 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Poles owned by rural electric cooperatives that engage in broadband provision become subject to Public Service Commission (PSC) regulation on the same basis as public utilities under s. 366.04(8)
  • Defines "engages in the provision of broadband" as providing broadband service directly, through an affiliate, through a third-party agreement, or accepting broadband grant funding under s. 288.9962 or other federal/state programs for expanding broadband to unserved areas
  • Grants the PSC authority to access the books and records of cooperatives engaged in broadband, limited to what is necessary to perform its regulatory functions, while preserving confidential or exempt status for proprietary business information
  • Explicitly authorizes rural electric cooperatives established under chapter 425 to engage in broadband provision as a new enumerated corporate power
  • Protects existing pole attachment agreements entered into before July 1, 2023, from being impaired by the new provisions, with an effective date of July 1, 2023

Legislative Description

Broadband Internet Service Providers

Last Action

Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 1221 (Ch. 2023-199)

4/26/2023

Committee Referrals

Rules3/28/2023
Commerce And Tourism3/9/2023

Full Bill Text

No bill text available