Rep. Pam Snyder (D-Greene/Fayette/Westmoreland) recently introduced legislation to address several issues related to lack of access to reliable high-speed internet access in underserved and unserved areas of the state.
“Despite the passage of measures back in 1993 and 2004 to ensure all areas of our state have access to a modern broadband telecommunications network by 2015, that obviously hasn’t happened and it’s extremely frustrating,” Rep. Snyder said. “Pennsylvanians, regardless of where they live, need access to quality, reliable broadband service, and I am dedicated to making that happen.”
Rep. Snyder introduced House Bill 305 to direct the state Department of General Services to conduct an inventory of all state department, agency, commission or institution-owned communication towers, poles, bridges and facilities to leverage existing assets for providing access to areas that don’t have broadband service.
She also introduced House Resolution 63, which would direct the Joint State Government Commission to conduct an audit of, and investigation into, the compliance by non-rural telecommunications carriers with previous enacted broadband telecommunications laws (Act 67 of 1993 and Act 183 of 2004).
Additionally, Rep. Snyder’s House Resolution 64 would establish a bipartisan, bicameral commission to provide recommendations to deploy broadband services.
Rep. Snyder noted recently that more than 800,000 residents, including 520,000 in rural areas, lack broadband service.
“School students aren’t able to complete their assignments at home, and companies are less likely to locate in regions of our state without reliable broadband access,” Rep. Snyder said. “Hospitals are unable to provide telemedicine or use other advanced technologies to help their patients. These communities shouldn’t wait any longer – the time for action is now.”
House Resolution 63 is currently in the House Consumer Affairs Committee for consideration. The House State Government Committee is currently considering House Resolution 64 and H.B. 305.