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HARRISBURG \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Gov. Tom Wolf\u00a0<\/strong>signed into law House Bill 1621, which increases access to 5G technology by deploying small wireless facilities, which could be as small as a backpack and attached to an existing utility pole, according to Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), Rep. Jim Marshall (R-Beaver\/Butler) and Rep. Robert Matzie (D-Beaver\/Allegheny).<\/p>\n \u201cThis legislation provides for the uniform, efficient and predictable regulation of small wireless facilities to streamline and accelerate the deployment of the next generation of high-speed wireless broadband throughout Pennsylvania,\u201d said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne, who sponsored the companion legislation in the Senate. \u201cThis\u00a0final product is the result of significant work among wireless providers, our municipalities and groups representing workers, who do much of the deployment work, to come to this agreed-to legislation.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to thank Reps. Marshall and Matzie for their leadership and for working with me on this important legislation that encourages wireless providers to deploy the most modern infrastructure throughout Pennsylvania while maintaining local government authority over their rights-of-way. I also want to thank my colleagues Sens. Lisa Boscola, Kristin Phillips-Hill and John Kane for all of their work to help usher this legislation through the Senate and to the governor.\u201d<\/p>\n This legislation sets fees municipalities can charge for applications and permits, as well as guidelines for applications. It sets timeframes for reviewing applications, deployment of small wireless facilities and removing small wireless facilities and associated equipment if they are not going to be used anymore.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile I know we still have work to do, I am truly hopeful this legislation will improve connectivity across the Commonwealth,\u201d said Marshall, Republican chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee.\u00a0 \u201cI greatly appreciate the hard work of Sens. Browne, Phillips-Hill, and Kane – along with their staff – to help Chairman Matzie and I create a law that we all can be proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n This bill also adds protections beyond the FCC order for local governments including an indemnity clause, damage repair provisions, limits on the number of applications that can be filed at one time and provisions for underground and historic districts.<\/p>\n Additionally, it sets requirements for contractors and subcontractors, and safety requirements for workers deploying these small wireless facilities.<\/p>\n \u201cIf the past year has shown us anything, it\u2019s that access to fast, reliable broadband is a necessity in practically every aspect of life,\u201d said Matzie, Democratic chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee. \u201cThe technology is out there, but we needed a seamless plan to harness it. Our legislation\u00a0provides that plan by laying the groundwork for municipalities to obtain this technology while also protecting the workers who install it.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the governor signing our bill into law, we can now put that plan into action, bringing us one step closer to state-of-the-art connectivity for all Pennsylvanians \u2013 regardless of ZIP code,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n Municipalities will have the option to deny a permit if it creates a hazard for motorists or pedestrians, or it violates provisions within the Americans with Disabilities Act. Local governments can also create guidelines for the small wireless facilities if it does not prohibit installation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" HARRISBURG \u2013\u00a0Gov. Tom Wolf\u00a0signed into law House Bill 1621, which increases access to 5G technology by deploying small wireless facilities, which could be as small as a backpack and … Continue reading Browne, Marshall, Matzie Commend Gov. Wolf Signing Bill to Expand 5G Technology<\/span>
\nMatt Szuchyt
\nDeputy Director of Policy & Communications
\nSenator Pat Browne
\nMajority Appropriations Chairman
\nPA 16th Senatorial District
\nwww.senatorbrowne.com<\/p>\n
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