Signed by Governor Mark Gordon

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires an application for a blanket easement for rights-of-way on public roads on federal lands in the state for broadband infrastructure development.

Highlights:

• Requires an application for all construction permits, licenses, and authorizations to construct broadband facilities on government property or public rights-of-way to be submitted to the appropriate governing entity (Sec. 1.a).

• Specifies a communications company includes a cable operator, provided the cable operator provides any of the services (Sec. 1.b).

• Specifies nothing in this law will (Sec. 1.c):

• Authorize communications companies to set or install permanent towers along, across, or under any of the public roads, streets, and waters of this state or to set communication poles in a state-managed right-of-way; and

• Be construed to prohibit a city, town, or county from requiring a franchise before issuing any permits, licenses, or authorizations as provided by this law.

• Requires the Department of Transportation to petition the United States federal government and any appropriate federal agency for a broad form or blanket easement to the state of Wyoming for rights-of-way for broadband providers to set their fixtures and facilities along, across, or under any public roads located on or through federal lands in the state of Wyoming (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Department of Transportation to seek approval from the governor to proceed no later than May 1, 2021 (Sec. 3.a).

• Requires the Department of Transportation shall transmit a copy of this act to the Wyoming congressional delegation. The department will seek the support of the Wyoming congressional delegation in relation to any application or petition (Sec. 3.b).

• Requires the director of the Department of Transportation to convene an unpaid working group of stakeholders, which may include legislators, federal representatives, industry representatives, and state agency representatives, to provide feedback to the department regarding implementation of this act (Sec. 3.c).

Full Bill Text