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IdahoH 01802025 regular legislative sessionHouse

BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to provide for the timing of the permitting process relating to broadband infrastructure.

Sponsored By: LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

Signed by Governor

BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Idaho broadband builders get permit deadlines

Beginning July 1, 2025, Idaho cities, counties, and highway districts face deadlines for covered telecom, cable, and broadband siting applications. Broadband infrastructure permits and small wireless facilities placed on existing equipment have a 60-day deadline. Small wireless facilities on new equipment and other wireless facilities on existing equipment have a 90-day deadline. Other wireless facilities on new equipment have a 150-day deadline. A zoning-compliant application needing no special use permit or variance becomes automatically approved when the deadline passes, after required notices. The applicant must complete public notices and notify the local authority that the deadline expired and approval took effect. The authority has 30 days after that notice to seek court review. Applications needing a special use permit or variance instead require a public hearing within 30 days after the deadline expires. Authorities must identify missing application items in writing within 21 business days. Applicants must supply them within five business days after receiving notice for the deadlines to apply. The review clock pauses from the deficiency notice until the applicant submits the required materials. Both sides can agree to extend deadlines. Certain equipment additions, removals, or replacements on existing wireless towers or base stations are exempt when physical size does not substantially change. Local control over wireless facility placement, construction, and changes otherwise remains, except where this law limits it.

Idaho regulates providers' utility pole charges

Beginning July 1, 2025, Idaho replaces its prior utility pole attachment law with a new regulatory framework. When utilities and phone, broadband, or cable providers cannot agree, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission sets rates, terms, and conditions. This includes disputes over providing space for attachments; attachments include wires, cables, and related equipment on poles or utility rights-of-way. Rates must cover at least the utility's added costs. They cannot exceed capital costs and operating expenses tied to the attachment, including a share of needed support and clearance space. The commission must consider providers, utilities, and utility customers when setting rates. It must also adopt pole attachment permitting timeline rules, subject to legislative approval. Any effect on household broadband prices or access is indirect; the law sets no household discount.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Brandon Mitchell

    Republican • House

  • Doug Ricks

    Republican • Senate

  • John Vander Woude

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 137 • No: 31

House vote • 4/3/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 48 • No: 20

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 24 • No: 9

House vote • 2/24/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 65 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported Signed by Governor on April 14, 2025 Session Law Chapter 325 Effective: 07/01/2025

    4/4/2025

  2. Delivered to Governor at 10:36 a.m. on April 4, 2025

    4/4/2025

  3. Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor

    4/4/2025Senate

  4. Signed by President; returned to House

    4/3/2025Senate

  5. Received from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker

    4/3/2025Senate

  6. Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate

    4/3/2025House

  7. Rules Suspended: Ayes 69 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 1, read in full as required – PASSED - 48-20-2

    4/3/2025House

  8. Read second time as amended in Senate; Filed for Third Reading

    4/3/2025House

  9. Read first time as amended in Senate; Filed for Second Reading

    4/2/2025House

  10. Reported Engrossed; Filed for First Reading of Engrossed Bills

    4/2/2025House

  11. Bills as Amended Referred to JRA for Engrossing

    4/2/2025House

  12. Returned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk

    4/2/2025House

  13. House Concurred in Senate Amendments

    4/2/2025House

  14. Returned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk

    4/2/2025House

  15. Read third time as amended in the Senate – PASSED - 24-9-2

    4/1/2025Senate

  16. Read second time as amended in the Senate, filed for Third Reading

    3/28/2025Senate

  17. Read first time as amended in the Senate; Filed for Second Reading

    3/27/2025Senate

  18. Amendments reported printed

    3/27/2025Senate

  19. Reported out as amended; filed for first reading

    3/27/2025Senate

  20. Amendments ordered printed

    3/27/2025Senate

  21. Placed in the Committee of the Whole

    3/27/2025Senate

  22. Reported out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment

    3/14/2025Senate

  23. Introduced, read first time; referred to: State Affairs

    2/25/2025Senate

  24. Received from the House passed; filed for first reading

    2/25/2025Senate

  25. Read Third Time in Full – PASSED - 65-2-3

    2/24/2025House

Bill Text

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