The most talked about part of Week 3 came on Tuesday, when the House of Representatives passed House Bill 366, known as the Rural Broadband Enabling Act. The bill passed 115-3, and I was proud to support it.
Usually, such consequential bills are not taken up this early in the session. However, Speaker Philip Gunn and other advocates worked several months to craft the legislation. It was referred to the House Public Utilities Committee on Monday and passed unanimously.
HB 366 gives authority to electric cooperatives to “establish, acquire, and wholly or partially own one or more broadband affiliates.” The bill defines “broadband affiliate” as an entity “that is wholly or partially owned by an electric cooperative and formed to own or operate a broadband system or provide broadband services.” It does not require a cooperative to provide broadband. It merely gives them authority to establish or allow another broadband operator to use its system to establish service.
There are safeguards in the bill for customers. HB 366 prohibits revenues from cooperative electric sales to subsidize broadband service, though the cooperative can make capital investments in its broadband affiliate. It also requires any electric cooperative board to conduct a feasibility study before getting into the broadband service. Finally, it prohibits cooperatives from forcing its customers to purchase high-speed internet service. It also says that the cooperative cannot disconnect electric service just because the customers have not paid their internet bill.
It is also important to note that there is no funding in this bill. While there are limited federal resources available, it will be the decision of each electric cooperative on whether or not to begin investing in broadband infrastructure and service.
It is my hope that HB 366 passes the Senate and wins approval from Gov. Phil Bryant. However, I know that rural broadband is a long-term project. I hope that the truly rural areas are the ones that benefit from this legislation – not simply the high-density suburban areas that classify as “rural” but could already attract a provider to invest in that market.
The other key development in Week 3 was Wednesday’s deadline to request the drafting of legislation. This Monday will be the deadline to actually introduce general bills and constitutional amendments. I also expect committees to begin meeting and taking up the many bills that will be coming their way.
This week, we also heard Gov. Bryant give his eighth and final State of the State address. Gov. Bryant championed the state’s strong economy and urged lawmakers to address school safety and teacher pay.
On a final note, I was sad to learn of the passing of two former Pine Belt delegation colleagues. Former Rep. Robert Earl Vince of Walthall County passed away last week, and Former Rep. Bobby Shows of Jones County passed over the weekend. Robert Earl and Bobby were good friends of mine and served their constituents well. Both will be missed.
Feel free to contact me with any questions and concerns at kmorgan@house.ms.gov. Thank you for the honor of serving District 100 in the House of Representatives.
Ken Morgan is state representative for House District 100, representing parts of Marion and Lamar counties. A member since 2007, Morgan serves as chairman of the House Forestry Committee and is a member of the Agriculture, Conservation & Water Resources, Public Property, Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks and Ways & Means committees.
