LD 1065 - An Act to Improve the Telecommunications Relay
Services Council by Reducing Its Membership and Allowing
for the Hiring of an Executive Director

• Committee - Energy, Utilities and Technology (EUT). Sponsor - Representative Pierce

• What does the bill propose - As amended, the bill removes two long-vacant positions from the Maine Telecommunications Relay Services Council and adds a permanent seat on the Council for the Maine Connectivity Authority.  The bill also authorizes the Council to hire a part-time Executive Director with current funds.

• What is MCA's position - Support the bill as amended

• Why is that our position - This modification provides more stability to the TRS Council with paid staff and a more reliable Council quorum.  As relay services transition from analog to digital by the end of 2023, MCA is uniquely positioned to advocate for the interests of the deaf, late-deafened, hard of hearing and speech impaired community who rely on broadband for communication services.

• Bill status - EUT voted unanimously Ought to Pass as Amended
   

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LD 1223 - An Act to Clarify Cost Allocations and Insurance
in the Joint Use of Public Utility Equipment

• Committee - Energy, Utilities and Technology (EUT). Sponsor - Senator Grohoski

• What does the bill propose - As amended, the bill seeks to remove the pole attachment provision requiring municipalities to waive their immunity under the Maine Tort Claims Act and limit the amount of general liability insurance required by pole owners.

• What is MCA's position - Support the bill as amended

• Why is that our position - Municipally owned projects face different barriers than private and public-private projects.  The general liability insurance requirement is a cost barrier to small municipal networks as they must obtain the insurance 12-24 months before bringing the network online and generating revenue. 

• Bill status - EUT voted unanimously Ought to Pass as Amended
  
   

LD 1456 - An Act to Facilitate the Expansion of Broadband

• Committee - Energy, Utilities and Technology. Sponsor -Senator Grohoski

• What does the bill propose - As amended, this bill charges the Public Utilities Commission in consultation with the Maine Connectivity Authority and input and analysis from the Interagency Broadband Working Group to undertake a study of pole attachment laws and rules and how the impact varies depending on project type.

• What is MCA's position - Support the bill as amended

• Why is that our position - The amended language provides a mechanism to gather empirical data on the issues of utility pole access that we hear about daily.  The “make-ready process” is intended to ensure coordinated equipment installation onto the precious limited space on a utility pole yet is fraught with complications that can delay or even jeopardize a broadband project’s viability.  The study components will provide necessary insight into these issues as we prepare for a phase of broadband infrastructure deployment 20 times current levels. 

• Bill status - EUT voted unanimously Ought to Pass as Amended

 

LD 1504 - An Act to Exempt Broadband Equipment from the

Sales and Use Tax

• Committee - Taxation.  Sponsor - Representative Terry

• What does the bill propose - The bill proposes a sales tax exemption for equipment used in the deployment of broadband and video services.

• What is MCA's position - MCA opposed the bill as originally presented, but is working with the Committee and bill sponsor to modify the language to more directly benefit Maine broadband expansion.

• Why is that our position - As proposed, the bill did not have any required reinvestment of savings into Maine’s broadband landscape.  Modifications are in discussion that would transition this from a sales tax exemption to a sales tax credit if the company can demonstrate private investment in unserved or underserved areas in the previous calendar year.

• Bill Status - Taxation voted Ought Not To Pass

 

LD 1791 - An Act to Make the ConnectMaine Authority
Responsible for Attachments to and Joint Use of Utility Poles and
to Establish Procedures for Broadband Service Infrastructure Crossing Railroad Tracks

• Committee - Energy, Utilities and Technology (EUT).  Sponsor - Senator Bennett

• What does the bill propose - As drafted, the bill would make three significant changes: 1) designate the ConnectMaine Authority as the entity responsible for pole attachment regulation; 2) include make-ready costs and processes within the subjects regulated under the applicable statute, 35-A M.R.S. § 711; and 3) define a process, timelines, and fees for railroad crossings by broadband service providers.

• What is MCA's position - Support

• Why is that our position - Reducing barriers to broadband deployment is one of MCA’s top strategic priorities.  This bill highlights several areas of the pole attachment process that need refinement to handle the influx of Federal funding that bog down current processes.  While we do not support moving regulatory oversight from the Public Utilities Commission to MCA, we are supportive of the continued dialogue and process improvement that this bill facilitates.

• Bill Status - EUT voted unanimously Ought Not To Pass

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