HLS 25RS-459 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 305
BY REPRESENTATIVE DESHOTEL
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
UTILITIES: Provides for the regulation of certain broadband services
1 AN ACT
2To enact R.S. 45:1206, relative to the regulation of certain broadband services; to provide
3 for definitions; to provide for certain internet services; to provide for oversight from
4 the Public Service Commission; to provide for rulemaking authority; and to provide
5 for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 45:1206 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง1206. Internet service providers; internet regulation; powers of the commission
9 A. As used in this Section, the following terms have the following meanings:
10 (1) "Internet" means the international computer network of both federal and
11 nonfederal interoperable packet switched data networks or any other commonly
12 understood general terms and meanings; including broadband, broadband internet,
13 fiber, and fiber internet.
14 (2) "Internet service provider" means any entity providing services that
15 enable a consumer to access the internet.
16 B. This Section shall apply only to internet services provided that utilize
17 funding from federal grants to create broadband infrastructure. Federal funding shall
18 include but not be limited to:
19 (1) The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, or BEAD, Program.
20 (2) The Rural Development Opportunity Fund, or RDOF.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 25RS-459 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 305
1 C. The Public Service Commission shall have and exercise all necessary
2 power and authority to supervise and enforce rules regarding all privately owned and
3 operated internet service providers not under the supervision and control of any city,
4 town, or parish as provided by Article VI, Section 7 of the Constitution of Louisiana.
5 D.(1) The commission shall have the power to adopt and enforce such
6 reasonable rules, regulations, and modes of procedure as it may deem proper for the
7 discharge of its duties in connection with such providers, and it may summon and
8 compel the attendance of witnesses, swear witnesses, compel the production of
9 books and papers, take testimony under commission, and punish for contempt as
10 fully as is provided by law for the district courts.
11 (2) The actions taken pursuant to this Subsection shall be subject to the
12 approval of the office of broadband before they are sent to committees required for
13 review of agency rules outlined in the Administrative Procedure Act.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 305 Original 2025 Regular Session Deshotel
Abstract: Provides relative to the regulation of certain broadband services.
Proposed law provides for the definitions of "internet" and "internet service provider".
Proposed law provides for who proposed law shall apply to.
Proposed law provides that the Public Service Commission (commission) shall have and
exercise all necessary power and authority to supervise and enforce rules regarding all
privately owned and operated internet service providers not under the supervision and
control of any city, town, or parish as provided by present law.
Proposed law provides for what the commission shall have the power to do to implement the
provisions of proposed law.
Proposed law provides that actions taken pursuant to proposed law shall be subject to the
approval of the office of broadband before they are sent to committees required for review
of agency rules outlined in the APA.
(Adds R.S. 45:1206)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.