Broadband Bill Headed to Senate Floor

On Thursday evening, April 1^st, the Senate Government Organization Committee  advanced House Bill 2002, the Omnibus Broadband Bill after restoring consumer protection language removed in a proposed committee amendment Thursday afternoon.

The aim of the original version of HB 2002 was to speed the deployment of broadband, reduce the overall cost to West Virginians, and increase consumer protections for subscribers of broadband service.  The changes made to the Bill on Thursday afternoon removed all consumer protections.

AARP spokesperson Angela Vance addressed the committee and urged them to reinstitute the original protections and language stating that the changes made the “bill more provider-centric and less consumer-centric.”

Delegate Daniel Linville (R – Cabell, 16), the Lead Sponsor of HB 2002 told the Committee that “We’re at a fork in the road. Broadband is so important that you want to make sure your residents have access to it.” 

After a recess, the Senate Government Organization Committee adopted an amendment offered by Senator Mike Caputo (D - Marion, 13) to restore the important consumer protections.

AARP West Virginia worked with House leadership on the original language of HB 2002. We made five important recommendations for language, standards and protections that should be included in the legislation to strengthen it, and each of these were incorporated into the bill. That language and those protections were restored by the action of the Senate Government Organization on Thursday evening.

Even though high-speed internet services are critical and essential to nearly every aspect of the lives of West Virginians, West Virginia lags far behind other states in deployment of high-speed internet.  Online education for students, successful tele-health appointments, the success of small businesses and the safety and enjoyment of life for older West Virginians all hinge on access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet.  It is also a vital requirement for West Virginia's economic development.  

Expanding access, affordability and reliability of high-speed internet is one of AARP West Virginia's 2021 Legislative Priorities. Over 89% of West Virginians identified increasing access to high-speed internet as the number one issue for this Legislative Session in a recent AARP West Virginia survey.
 
AARP West Virginia applauds the Senate Government Organization Committee for advancing HB 2002 with the consumer protections intact.  This legislation now heads to the Senate Floor.

• AARP West Virginia has created a helpful Infographic that explains the necessity for reliable, affordable High Speed Internet in West Virginia, that you can access here.