MS HB1059

Updates broadband equipment speed standard for ad valorem tax exemptions from 384 kilobits per second to 25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload, aligned with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standards.

Limits tax exemption to equipment providing service in Tier 2 and Tier 3 counties as defined by the Mississippi Department of Revenue, available for fiber, cable, DSL, or fixed wireless access (FWA) providers.

Caps fixed wireless access exemptions at 30% of total asset cost per FWA site and requires broadband providers to file exemptions listing E911 addresses of qualifying sites on business personal property forms by December 31st.

Requires broadband providers to make subscriber lists available to county tax assessors upon request for audit purposes to verify coverage and minimum speed compliance, with subscriber information treated as confidential.

Exemption applies to equipment placed in service after June 30, 2003, and before July 1, 2025, for a period of 10 years from the service date; any FCC standard revisions will require updated equipment listings on business property returns for the following tax year.