Special session brings new hope for fiber optic bill

The Port of Whitman County provided an update on the status of House Bill 1702 currently in the legislature. The bill is meant to refine telecommunications authority for ports statewide and updates that authority to allow ports to have preferential contracts with one company for the installation of fiber-optic communication lines. It would also allow the ability to work directly with certain entities to lease fiber.

As the current legislation stands, ports can only lease lines to telecommunications companies, but the refined authority would allow them to work with public entities, such as cities.

Commissioner Tom Kammerzell gave the update last Thursday on the bill which is sponsored by Ninth District Representative Mary Dye, R-Pomeroy. The bill last had a hearing on Feb. 7.

“The telecom bill came out of committee with two bad amendments,” said Kammerzell. “There’s a lot of negotiation going on, but it’s unacceptable the way it is right now.”

Kammerzell said last week the bill was likely at a place where it will die.

“It’s not over until it’s over,” he said. “But the discussion is whether to pass a bad bill or kill it and come back another day.”

It was noted that the “bad amendments” were added with the senate version of the bill.

Port Executive Director Joe Poiré said one of the amendments would have required ports offering their fiber for sale every 10 years.

“It had some things we thought were a little bit sticky,” he said.

Kammerzell’s update came before the regular legislative session concluded, and Poiré at that time pointed out that the end of the session could bring new hope for the bill.

“If it dies, which it probably will, when they start the special session, the house bill that Mary sponsored is alive again,” said Poiré. “That one was very favorable.”

“I’m cautiously optimistic,” added Kammerzell.

The regular legislative session concluded April 23, and a special 30-day session commenced the following day. With it, the original house bill returned.

“It goes back to the house in its last reiteration as it came out of the house,” said Poiré. “It’s back on the floor.”

Poiré said the bill is likely to come out of the house again, and from there, he is uncertain of what will happen.

“We’re gonna work it,” he said.