Nebraska Legislature moves forward on creation of state broadband office

The Legislature’s Transportation Committee superior a set of payments throughout an government session Monday, most notably advancing LB683 in a 6-1 vote. The invoice would set up the Nebraska Broadband Workplace, with the purpose of offering dependable broadband companies to all state residents by the beginning of 2028.

The committee launched LB683 as a direct response to an government order Gov. Jim Pillen signed in January calling for the creation of the workplace. Sen. Suzanne Geist of Lincoln, Transportation Committee chair, stated the Legislature just isn’t required to go a invoice following the governor’s order, however it’s best apply to take action. The laws will likely be one of many committee’s precedence payments this session. 

The broadband workplace could be included underneath the State Division of Transportation, with Pillen having a job in oversight. Pillen could be tasked with appointing the workplace’s director, who would then serve in Pillen’s cupboard. 

Beneath Pillen’s predecessor, former Gov. Pete Ricketts, Nebraska devoted practically $100 million to broadband enlargement, primarily from a bipartisan infrastructure invoice that handed in 2021. As much as $100 million extra is anticipated.

At present, a lot of the state’s broadband companies fall underneath the purview of the Public Service Fee. Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha, the only dissenting vote towards advancing the invoice, stated LB683 was one instance of a number of payments proposed this session that will take energy away from an elected physique and provides it to the governor.

Although she wasn’t current to vote on the development of LB683, Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Bennington additionally indicated that Pillen’s order has difficult efforts to increase broadband via the fee. 

“There is a mess due to the chief order,” DeBoer stated. 

Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha stated he additionally shared Cavanaugh’s reservations about shifting energy, however stated he was swayed by an modification the committee added to LB683 requiring the broadband director to current an annual report back to the committee. The report could be accessible to the general public. DeBoer stated she additionally supported the accountability measure. 

Cavanaugh additionally objected to the timeline set for the state’s broadband targets. She stated that the brand new workplace is anticipated to have a five-year technique plan prepared by August. 

“It feels rushed to me,” Cavanaugh stated. 

Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus stated the Public Service Fee has many different duties moreover broadband, and argued LB683 may assist alleviate a few of that work. He stated he believes Pillen made the chief order to convey a “new sense of urgency” to Nebraska’s broadband effort. 

Along with LB683, the committee additionally unanimously superior a bundle of payments that have been absorbed into LB412, which eliminates roadblocks to assist increase broadband companies in rural counties.