On Tuesday, Assembly Bill 1665, authored by Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella), was pulled and not heard in the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee. As currently written, AB 1665 would negatively impact the ability of rural communities to bringing much-needed broadband service to its area, which would further limit access to educational and economic opportunities. Recent amendments have forced RCRC and the California State Association of Counties to adopt an “Oppose Unless Amended” position.
RCRC and CSAC are requesting that AB 1665 be amended to restore the definitions of “unserved” and “underserved,” eliminate annual “right of first refusal,” and require transparency standards for deployment projects subsidized by ratepayers and Public-Benefit MOU commitments. In addition, RCRC and CSAC advocates an alternative definition of “disadvantaged communities” be included to ensure deserving communities are not inadvertently excluded from eligibility.
RCRC is very supportive of the original intent of AB 1665 and continuing the California Advanced Services Fund program. RCRC and CSAC have been in discussions with Legislators and legislative staff to share the negative impacts of the recent amendments and to find a path forward that is positive for rural communities. Because the bill is an urgency measure, it is exempt from standard hearing deadlines and may continue to move forward this legislative session.
RCRC’s joint “Oppose Unless Amended” letter can be accessed here.