H.F. No. 4182 Summary

• Establishes the "Equal Access to Broadband Act" and modifies definitions of broadband service to align with Federal Communications Commission standards for high-speed Internet access.

• Creates a new subdivision allowing political subdivisions to require broadband providers to obtain franchises or municipal authorizations and to pay fees based on gross operating revenues or to defray increased municipal costs from right-of-way occupation.

• Clarifies that broadband service providers are subject to municipal franchising requirements and right-of-way management authority under section 237.163, with exemptions for electric cooperative associations providing broadband.

• Modifies telecommunications right-of-way user definitions to exclude entities that solely provide broadband services from certain regulatory requirements, while broadband companies using wireless services remain subject to applicable provisions.

• Specifies fee structures for small wireless facility collocation on local government-owned wireless support structures, including annual rent up to $150, maintenance fees up to $25, and electricity rates of $73 to $182 per radio node depending on wattage.