HB 309 Riggs, Louis
HB 309 -- BROADBAND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
SPONSOR: Riggs
This bill authorizes two or more political subdivisions, upon a vote of eligible voters, to form a broadband infrastructure improvement district for the delivery of broadband Internet service to their residents. A district has the power to contract with a broadband Internet service provider to provide broadband Internet service to the residents of the district.
A district may finance the provision or expansion of broadband Internet service through grants, loans, bonds, or user fees. The bill also establishes the composition and operation of the District Governing Board.
Additional political subdivisions may join a district upon application to the Governing Board. If the Board offers admission to the district, it must specify all terms and conditions upon which admission is predicated. A political subdivision may withdraw from a district in the same manner.
This bill is similar to HB 2353 (2022).