Four minutes before the statutory deadline for the Governor to take actions on bills passed this Legislative Session, Governor Brown vetoed Senate Bill 649 (Hueso) and returned it to the Legislature. SB 649 was strongly opposed by a coalition of local government associations, including RCRC, the California State Association of Counties, Urban Counties of California, the League of California Cities, and the American Planning Association.
SB 649 would have required counties to allow small cell wireless facilities on public property both in and outside the public right-of-way for a lease rate far below market rate. This bill would not have required any installation of new 5G technology, nor require the wireless industry to build their networks in our underserved communities.
The joint press release can be accessed here. Governor Brown’s veto message can be accessed here.