H.B. 625 Summary

• Establishes a collocation permitting and approval process for wireless and wireline providers to install broadband infrastructure on solely state-owned or solely county-owned utility poles and light standards.

• Defines small wireless or wireline facilities as permitted uses in public rights-of-way, rural districts, and urban districts; requires special permits only in conservation districts.

• Sets a maximum annual recurring collocation fee of $100 per utility pole or light standard and prohibits providers from excluding competitors from using state or county-owned poles.

• Requires structural assessments under National Electrical Safety Code standards and permits consolidated permit applications for networks of up to 10 similar facilities within a three-square-mile geographic area or project basis.

• Takes effect May 22, 2050; applies to permit applications filed after January 1, 2019.