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Minutes for HB2701 - Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications
Short Title
Establishing the statewide broadband expansion task force.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 14, 2018
Chair Seiwert opened the hearing.
Nick Myers, Assistant Revisor of Statutes presented bill brief. (Attachment 1) The bill would establish the statewide broadband expansion task force. The task force would be required to submit a report to the Legislature on or before January 31, 2019, of their findings and recommendations. The Office of Revisor of Statutes, the Kansas Legislative Research Department, and Legislative Administrative Services would be required to provide assistance as requested by the task force. Only legislative members may be reimbursed by their appointing authority. He stood for questions.
John Federico presented proponent testimony (Attachment 2) noting in Kansas, there seems to be more focus than ever on getting broadband into the unserved areas of the state. In support of the formation of a Broadband Task Force, the bill provides the opportunity for policymakers, providers and various stakeholders to work together to create a path for real reforms in Kansas. This is not about Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF). Respectfully requested that the task force not get too large to be effective. He requested clarification of certain ambiguous appointments as well as moving up the report date to January 25, 2019.
Erik Sartorius presented proponent testimony. (Attachment 3) While the task force is directed to "prioritize the expansion of broadband services first to unserved areas of the state and then to underserved areas," this task force is not narrowly focused on rural broadband. Rather, the entire state, including providers and local government, will be affected by any policies recommended by the task force and adopted by the legislature. The League would like to be allowed to make a rural and urban appointment to the task force.
Melissa Wangemann presented proponent testimony. (Attachment 4) It has become apparent that the first step in deploying broadband throughout the state is to study the issues with all stakeholders. The mission of the task force as outlined in section (e) is a good agenda for discussions that will move us forward. She suggested that two county representatives be placed on the task force, one representing an urban county and the other representing a rural county.
Alex Orel presented proponent testimony. (Attachment 5) Establishing a statewide broadband task force is a very important step for the people of Kansas who want access to high speed internet. Any efforts to build broadband for our citizens will definitely help lead the way to improving their quality of life. Rural Kansans in particular are asking for access to high speed internet so they can bring in economic development opportunities, meet the needs of local business and provide service for schools to expand educational opportunities. He indicated he would appreciate an amendment to add a member of the task force appointed by Kansas Electric Cooperatives (KEC).
Larry Thompson presented proponent testimony. (Attachment 6) The agency believe it would be far more productive to be involved collaboratively in the task force from the beginning, and therefore, requests the bill be amended to include a representative of the Secretary of Transportation on the Statewide Broadband Expansion Task Force.
Kimberly Svaty presented proponent testimony. (Attachment 7) Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) supports the bill and requests that if this Committee works this bill, that they would consider adding a representative of KMU to the task force, as like the other task force members, they are uniquely placed to help further broadband deployment across Kansas.
Written only proponent testimony was provided by Ernest Kutzley, Advocacy Director, AARP Kansas (Attachment 8), Dan Murray, Kansas State Director, National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) (Attachment 9), Sandra Rupp, President, Kansas Legislative Policy Group (KLPG) (Attachment 10), Mandy Roe, Director of Member Services, Kansas Cooperative Council (KCC) (Attachment 11), Leah Fliter, Advocacy and Outreach Specialist, Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) (Attachment 12) and John Donley, Kansas Farm Bureau. (Attachment 13)
Proponents stood for questions.
Chair Seiwert closed the proponent portion.
There was no opposition testimony provided. Chair Seiwert closed the opponent portion.
Neutral Testimony was presented by Patrick Fucik. (Attachment 14) Sprint supports efforts to encourage broadband expansion in all states and stands ready to work with policy makers in Kansas on whatever course is determined to be the best path forward to encourage broadband deployment. He indicated that he was not sure that a formal 'task force' created by legislation is necessary to achieve
John Idoux presented neutral testimony. (Attachment 15) CenturyLink has been, and will continue to be, a strong partner at the discussion table on how to advance broadband. CenturyLink would welcome participation to serve on a statewide broadband task force in Kansas and would work with all task force members to ensure a productive final report with workable recommendations. He asked that they look at the scope of the task force and make it narrower to not include such a large group. He asked that task force members be eligible to serve on the task force if they either reside or work in Kansas to ensure the greatest amount of input.
Questions followed for both neutral presenters.
Written only neutral testimony was provided by Rob Reynolds, Legislative Affairs Director, AT&T Kansas (Attachment 16), Mary Jane Stankiewicz, Kansas Rural Independent Telecommunications Coalition (RITC) (Attachment 17), and Mike Hutfles on behalf of State Independent Telephone Association of Kansas (SITA). (Attachment 18)
Chair Seiwert closed the neutral portion. Chair Seiwert then closed the hearing.
Representative Mason moved to suspend the rules and work HB2701. Representative Garber seconded, motion passed.
Representative Delperdang moved to amend the language in HB2701, using amendment #3. Representative Gartner seconded, motion accepted and passed favorably. Representative Carmichael requested that his no vote be recorded.
Representative Davis moved to amend the bill adding a member of Kansas Municipal Utilities to the task force, using amendment #1. Representative Mason seconded. The motion went to a division vote, with 7 in favor and 8 opposed, motion failed. Representative Carmichael requested that his no vote be recorded. Representative Garber requested that his yes vote be recorded.
Representative Garber moved to amend the bill adding a member of Kansas Electric Cooperatives to the task force, using amendment #2. Representative Thimesch seconded. There was no vote on this amendment, so it will remain on the table.
Representative Davis made a substitute motion to table the bill. Representative Kuether seconded, motion passed, HB2701 was tabled.
