SB 845

This bill eliminates a requirement for a city, village, or town (local government)

to prepare a report before holding a public hearing on a proposed ordinance or

resolution authorizing the local government to construct or operate facilities for

providing telecommunications service, cable television or similar video service, or

broadband service to the public. With exceptions, current law prohibits a local

government from enacting an ordinance or adopting a resolution authorizing the

local government to construct or operate such a facility unless the local government

gives notice and holds a public hearing on the proposed ordinance or resolution. In

addition, at least 30 days prior to the hearing, current law requires the local

government to prepare and make available to the public a report that estimates the

total costs and revenues for the facility and includes a cost-benefit analysis of the

facility for a period of at least three years. Under this bill, a local government is not

required to prepare that report.

The bill also allows a local government or county to apply for a broadband

expansion grant without submitting the application in partnership with another

applicant. Under current law, the Public Service Commission makes the grants to

eligible applicants for constructing broadband facilities in underserved areas.

Current law specifies that telecommunications utilities and for-profit and

not-for-profit organizations are eligible applicants. However, under current law, a

local government or county is an eligible applicant only if the local government or

county applies for a grant in partnership with a telecommunications utility or

for-profit or not-for-profit organization. This bill allows a local government or

county to apply for a grant on its own.