THAYER DIALS UP RESOLUTION TO ACCELERATE BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT IN KENTUCKY

THAYER DIALS UP RESOLUTION TO ACCELERATE BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT IN KENTUCKY

Senate Joint Resolution 175 approved by Senate committee

FRANKFORT, Ky (Feb. 28, 2024) - In a crucial move to enhance social and economic prosperity in the commonwealth, Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, presented Senate Joint Resolution 175 (SJR 175) in the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee meeting on Wednesday. The resolution would expedite the deployment of broadband internet service. 

SJR 175 prioritizes the acceleration of broadband deployment in underserved areas by directing the Public Service Commission (PSC) to swiftly establish emergency regulations within 45 days for utility pole attachments. Emphasizing eliminating impediments and reducing backlog, the resolution mandates utilities owning poles to align with new tariffs. Additionally, SJR 175 kickstarts a comprehensive docket for stakeholder input, with requirements of quarterly reports to the Legislative Research Commission to track progress. 

The necessity of Thayer's resolution is evident in Scott County's experience deploying broadband. Scott County Judge/Executive Joe Pat Covington joined Thayer in presenting the resolution.

"In October 2021, we had reached a deal to move forward. Then, in May 2022, submissions for applications for pole attachments started. Fast forward to July 2023, we had only been able to submit 35 percent of our applications," Covington said. "We have almost 8,000 poles in our project and were kind of the test pilot."

"We had a lot of issues getting the project going in Scott County," Thayer added. "I could walk away and not deal with the issue, but I want to expedite this process now that Scott County has served as a test case. Another issue is there is a deadline for us to put available federal funds to use."

SJR 175 highlights the significant financial investments made by lawmakers through available federal funding, with $1.1 billion allocated through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. An additional $157 million will be available for network expansion through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and state and local programs to ensure high-speed broadband reaches every corner of the commonwealth, regardless of location or household income.

Recognizing broadband's critical role in connecting residents locally and globally, the resolution declares an emergency to address the lack of access, particularly in rural areas.
Thayer has an even greater sense of urgency in light of Kentucky's past challenges in broadband deployment.

"KentuckyWired has been marred by excessive overspending and chronic delays spanning several years," Thayer said. "Before leaving the legislature, I want to know I've done everything possible to give Kentuckians confidence in broadband deployment because that's what they were promised."

Find SJR 175 in its entirety HERE and learn more about Thayer and the ongoing 2024 Legislative Session by visiting Legislature.ky.gov. 

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Senator Damon Thayer, R-Georgetown, represents the 17th Senate District, including Grant and Scott Counties, southern Kenton County, and northwestern Fayette County. He is Senate majority floor leader. Thayer is the longest-serving Republican Senate majority floor leader in Kentucky history. He serves as a member of the Senate committees on Agriculture, Licensing and Occupations, and State and Local Government. As Senate majority floor leader, Thayer is a member of the Legislative Research Commission, the Committee on Committees and the Rules Committee. Additionally, he is an Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee member. 

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate117.jpg for a high-resolution JPEG file of Thayer.  

Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2024 Legislative Session, such as committee schedules, membership, legislation, and more.

Live legislative coverage is available at KET.org/legislature and via the Legislative Research Commission YouTube channel. 

Access archived footage of legislative meetings at ket.org/legislature/archives.

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