The first legislative funnel deadline is this week. Unless a bill has been assigned to the Appropriations, Ways and Means, or Government Oversight committee, it must pass out of a committee to receive further consideration this legislative session. The Commerce Committee passed a number of bills out this week to encourage expanded broadband access in unserved and underserved areas of the state. These include the following:
HSB 588 – Requires a feasibility study for the construction and installation of an internet exchange point (IXP) in Iowa. An internet exchange point is a physical location through which internet infrastructure companies such as internet service providers connect with each other. Companies with a presence inside the IXP are able to shorten the route of internet traffic with other participating networks, which reduces latency (increases speed), improves round-trip time (another speed enhancement), and has the potential to reduce costs.
Currently all internet traffic in Iowa must leave the state (going through Chicago, Denver, or Dallas) before coming back to the user. Constructing an IXP would keep the internet traffic in Iowa, reducing the amount of time it takes for information to flow to and from the consumer. Building an IXP network in Iowa, would have a positive economic development impact, and further establish Iowa as the silicon prairie for business.
HF 2107 – Encourages streamline regulations across the state by encouraging communities to be “Broadband Forward” certified. Everyone likes certainty, this includes businesses looking to grow and expand. Communities will be able to receive the broadband forward designation by meeting criteria set by the IEDA. Receiving the “broadband forward” means communities are focused on developing broadband infrastructure and internet access.
A “Telecommuter Forward” designation would encourage political subdivisions to support and promote the availability of telecommuting. The city must meet requirements set by the IEDA to receive the designation.
To reduce the regulatory burden, HF2107 also strengthens Iowa’s “dig once” policy. A “dig once” policy requires the inclusion of broadband conduit (pipes which can be used to easily run fiber-optic communications cable) in the right of way during a road construction project. This would reduce the cost of getting internet to homes and businesses by up to 90 percent, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
This session, the Commerce committee also passed the following bills related to broadband internet access:
HSB 516 which extends the sunset on small cell siting
HF 2023 which exempts broadband grants from being considered income for state tax purposes, and
HSB 638 which makes changes to the grant program and allows for more accurate mapping of broadband
In the District
As always, please join me at one of my legislative forums in March:
March 6 @ 8 a.m. – Corydon – Farm Bureau
March 6 @ 10 a.m. – Chariton – Mosaic
March 6 @ Noon – Osceola – Lakeside Casino
March 6 @ 2 p.m. – Leon – Community Center