Save Muni Wireless

Text of HB 789 Anti-Wireless Provision

HB 789, the omnibus telecommunications bill, isn't called onmibus for nothing. Even though we've linked to the legislative site in the sidebar, you may have some difficulty finding the provision that concerns us. It's one small section buried amongst 332 pages.

Here is the specific text that would outlaw muni networks and harm public wireless:

Sec. 54.202. PROHIBITED MUNICIPAL SERVICES. A municipality or municipally owned utility may not, directly or indirectly, on its own or with another entity, offer to the public:

(1) a service for which a certificate is required;

(2) a service as a network provider; or

(3) any telecommunications or information service, without regard to the technology platform used to provide the service.