House and senate committees pass broadband bill

March 5, 2015

On Wednesday, the House Commerce Committee passed an amended version of HSB 104, the governor's broadband bill. The amendment makes changes to the definition of broadband infrastructure, changes some of the responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer and takes out the $5 million for the grant program and replaces it with a program for a federal and private fund partnership should federal funds become available. It also extends the property tax abatement from three to 10 years.  

On Thursday, the Senate also passed SF 60, out of committee. The bill was brought forward by Sen. Steve Sodders (D-Marshalltown). This version adds the grant program without funding and includes a 5 year non-retroactive property tax abatement.

Now that both bills have passed committee, they are ready to be debated in the full House and Senate.