Senate Bill 689 Summary

• Requires municipalities and electric membership cooperatives to replace utility poles upon request by communications service providers seeking to offer broadband in unserved areas, with providers only paying costs directly attributable to the attachment.

• Authorizes counties to levy property taxes up to $1.50 per $100 of property value to provide grants to high-speed internet access service providers or to build broadband infrastructure and facilities.

• Allows counties to construct internet technology infrastructure and lease or sell it to private or nonprofit providers, but prohibits counties from directly providing broadband service.

• Prohibits cities from charging wireless providers taxed under G.S. 105-164.4(a)(4c) any fees for collocation of small wireless facilities or pole installation, modification, or replacement in city rights-of-way.

• Establishes a 120-day dispute resolution process through the Commission for conflicts arising from broadband access requests or attachments in unserved areas.