IndianaSB 502First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)Senate

Attachments to utility poles.

Sponsored By: Andy Zay

Signed by Governor

Summary

Defines an "attachment request" as a request made: (1) by an attaching entity, other than an electricity supplier, to the owner (pole owner) of an electric distribution pole (pole) for authorization to install, within a period of not more than 30 days, communications service equipment on 300 or more poles owned by the pole owner; and (2) in connection with, and using funds obtained from, a state or federal program directly related to the expansion of communications services to unserved, underserved, or rural areas (program). Defines a "process management agreement" as a written agreement entered into by: (1) an attaching entity that has been awarded funding under a program; and (2) a pole owner that owns at least 300 poles with respect to which the attaching entity intends to submit an attachment request in connection with a project under the program; for the purpose of establishing processes, timelines, mutual performance obligations, and conflict resolution options for timely completing attachment requests. Provides that not later than five business days after the execution of a contract that: (1) is entered into by an attaching entity and a governmental agency; and (2) sets forth the terms and conditions for a project for which funding has been awarded under a program; the Indiana broadband office (office) shall publish the contract on the office's website. Provides that not later than 60 days after a contract is executed: (1) the attaching entity that executed the contract; and (2) each pole owner that owns at least 300 poles with respect to which the attaching entity intends to submit an attachment request in connection with a project under the program; shall hold a meeting for the purpose of discussing general project plans. Provides that not later than four months after the National Telecommunications Information Administration approves the office's final proposal for funding under the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, if an attaching entity that has been awarded funding under a program does not have a process management agreement in effect with a pole owner that owns at least 300 poles with respect to which the attaching entity intends to submit an attachment request in connection with a project under the program, the attaching entity and the pole owner shall negotiate an agreement that sets forth specified processes, timelines, mutual performance obligations, and conflict resolution options. Provides that if the attaching entity and a pole owner do not reach an agreement as to the terms, conditions, and timelines for a process management agreement, or otherwise have the prescribed negotiated agreement in effect, within the required four month period, certain conditions apply with respect to the dealings between the attaching entity and the pole owner with respect to any application for a pole attachment permit that does not seek the attachment of more than 3,000 poles within a period of not more than 30 days. Authorizes the office to adopt a rapid response mediation process to be followed if a dispute arises between an attaching entity and a pole owner regarding the processes and timelines for the timely completion of an attachment request. Provides that these provisions expire July 1, 2030.

utilitiesthe house

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Andy Zay

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Alaina Shonkwiler

    Republican • House

  • Chris Jeter

    Republican • House

  • Dale DeVon

    Republican • House

  • Eric Koch

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 187 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/24/2025

Senate concurred with House amendments

Yes: 47 • No: 2

House vote • 4/14/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 93 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/17/2025

Third reading: passed

Yes: 47 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Law 209

    5/6/2025Senate
  2. Signed by the Governor

    5/6/2025Senate
  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    4/29/2025Senate
  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    4/25/2025Senate
  5. Signed by the Speaker

    4/25/2025House
  6. Senate concurred with House amendments; Roll Call 527: yeas 47, nays 2

    4/24/2025Senate
  7. Motion to concur filed

    4/21/2025Senate
  8. Returned to the Senate with amendments

    4/15/2025House
  9. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 444: yeas 93, nays 0

    4/14/2025House
  10. Second reading: ordered engrossed

    4/10/2025House
  11. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    4/8/2025House
  12. First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities, Energy and Telecommunications

    3/3/2025House
  13. Referred to the House

    2/18/2025Senate
  14. Cosponsors: Representatives Jeter and Shonkwiler

    2/17/2025Senate
  15. House sponsor: Representative DeVon

    2/17/2025Senate
  16. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 133: yeas 47, nays 0

    2/17/2025Senate
  17. Amendment #1 (Zay) prevailed; voice vote

    2/13/2025Senate
  18. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    2/13/2025Senate
  19. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/6/2025Senate
  20. Authored by Senators Zay and Koch

    1/14/2025Senate
  21. First reading: referred to Committee on Utilities

    1/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed Senate Bill (H)

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

  • Senate Bill (S)

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