Lastly, our 2025 Legislation Session passed bill HB 180a Broadband Infrastructure to make it easier to deploy cell towers. If city and county employees fail to approve applications in a reasonable amount of time the application will automatically be approved by default. “Connectivity is essential to public safety and a modern economy.” There is that safety issue again! “This legislation is intended to reduce delays and increase deployment.”This bill will shorten the application deadlines, putting undue pressure on city and county employees/departments that are already short staffed. A Kootenai local elected official stated, “This bill goes much too far. The federal government rules are already skewed in favor of the telecommunication companies. Expanding their power is unconscionable.” This bill will go into effect on July 1, 2025. Anticipate more cell towers in our communities unless our local elected mayors, city council members and county commissioners adopt an ordinance like the Dalton Gardens Telecommunications Ordinance to protect their constituents.
Please contact your mayor, city council members and county commissioners and tell them to be proactive and adopt a strong Telecommunications Ordinance like Dalton Gardens’ Ordinance that asserts rights under federal law that can override state law.
Sincerely, JEN |
