1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to broadband; establishing the Equal Access to Broadband Act; modifying
1.3 provisions governing broadband services and broadband infrastructure; amending
1.4 Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 116J.39, subdivision 1; 116J.394; 116J.399,
1.5 subdivisions 1, 8, by adding a subdivision; 222.37, subdivision 1; 237.162,
1.6 subdivision 4; 237.163, subdivisions 2, 6, 7; 412.221, subdivision 6.
1.7BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.8 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.39, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.9 Subdivision 1.Definitions.(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
1.10the meanings given them.
1.11 (b) "Broadband" or "broadband service" means any a service providing advanced
1.12telecommunications capability and that offers to a person or company high-speed Internet
1.13access with transmission speeds that, at a minimum, meet the Federal Communications
1.14Commission definition for broadband.
1.15 (c) "Local unit of government" has the meaning given in section 116G.03, subdivision
1.163.
1.17 (d) "Office" means the Office of Broadband Development established in subdivision 2,
1.18paragraph (a).
1.19 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.394, is amended to read:
1.20 116J.394 DEFINITIONS.
1.21 (a) For the purposes of sections 116J.394 to 116J.398 116J.399, the following terms
1.22have the meanings given them.
1Sec. 2.
REVISOR RSI/HL 25-0196802/10/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 974
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Freiberg; Lee, F.; Carroll; Koegel and Clardy02/17/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy 2.1 (b) "Broadband" or "broadband service" has the meaning given in section 116J.39,
2.2subdivision 1, paragraph (b).
2.3 (c) "Broadband infrastructure" means networks of deployed telecommunications
2.4equipment and technologies necessary to provide high-speed Internet access and other
2.5advanced telecommunications services for broadband to end users.
2.6 (d) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
2.7 (e) "Last-mile infrastructure" means broadband infrastructure that serves as the final leg
2.8connecting the broadband service provider's network to the end-use customer's on-premises
2.9telecommunications equipment.
2.10 (f) "Middle-mile infrastructure" means broadband infrastructure that links a broadband
2.11service provider's core network infrastructure to last-mile infrastructure.
2.12 (g) "Political subdivision" means any county, city, town, school district, special district
2.13or other political subdivision, or public corporation.
2.14 (h) "Underserved areas" means areas of Minnesota in which households or businesses
2.15lack access to wire-line broadband service at speeds of at least 100 megabits per second
2.16download and at least 20 megabits per second upload.
2.17 (i) "Unserved areas" means areas of Minnesota in which households or businesses lack
2.18access to wire-line broadband service, as defined in section 116J.39.
2.19 Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.399, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
2.20 Subdivision 1.Definitions.For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
2.21the meanings given:
2.22 (1) "broadband infrastructure" has the meaning given in section 116J.394, paragraph
2.23(c);
2.24 (2) (1) "broadband service" has the meaning given in section 116J.394, paragraph (b)
2.25116J.39, subdivision 1; and
2.26 (3) (2) "provider" means a broadband service provider, but does not include: (i) an
2.27electric cooperative association organized under chapter 308A that provides broadband
2.28service.; (ii) a provider that exclusively offers personal wireless service, as defined under
2.29United States Code, title 47, section 332(c)(7)(C); or (iii) a provider that exclusively offers
2.30direct broadband satellite service, as defined under United States Code, title 47, section
2.31335(b)(5); and
2Sec. 3.
REVISOR RSI/HL 25-0196802/10/25 3.1 (3) "local franchising authority" means a statutory city, home rule charter city, or town
3.2authorized by state law to require a provider to obtain a franchise.
3.3 Sec. 4. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.399, subdivision 8, is amended to read:
3.4 Subd. 8.Local governmental right-of-way management preserved.(a) The placement
3.5of broadband infrastructure to provide broadband service under subdivisions 2 to 7: (1) is
3.6subject to local government permitting and right-of-way management authority under section
3.7237.163, franchising or other municipal authorization under subdivision 10; and (2) must
3.8be coordinated with the relevant local government unit in order to minimize potential future
3.9relocations. The provider must notify a local government unit prior to placing infrastructure
3.10for broadband service in an easement that is in or adjacent to the local government unit's
3.11public right-of-way.
3.12 (b) This section does not apply to a public utility easement.
3.13 Sec. 5. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116J.399, is amended by adding a subdivision
3.14to read:
3.15 Subd. 10.Franchise or municipal authorization.(a) A local franchising authority may
3.16require a provider furnishing broadband within the local franchising authority's jurisdiction
3.17to obtain a franchise or other municipal authorization in compliance with the terms,
3.18conditions, and limitations contained in the local franchising authority's regulatory acts,
3.19including but not limited to regulatory acts governing the placement of lines and facilities
3.20above ground or underground.
3.21 (b) A local franchising authority may by ordinance or resolution create a joint powers
3.22commission under section 471.59 to delegate authority vested in the local franchising
3.23authority by statute or charter to prepare, adopt, grant, administer, and enforce a franchise
3.24as provided under this subdivision.
3.25 (c) Pursuant to a franchise or other municipal authorization required under paragraph
3.26(a), a local franchising authority may require a provider to pay the local franchise authority
3.27fees to (1) raise revenue, (2) defray increased municipal costs that accrue as a result of
3.28right-of-way occupation, or (3) both. The fee may include but is not limited to a sum of
3.29money based on the gross operating revenues or gross earnings resulting from the provider's
3.30operations to provide broadband within the local franchising authority's jurisdiction for the
3.31duration of time the provider continues to operate within the local franchise authority's
3.32jurisdiction. A provider franchise fee must not exceed five percent of the provider's gross
3.33revenues and up to an additional three percent of the provider's gross revenues dedicated
3Sec. 5.
REVISOR RSI/HL 25-0196802/10/25 4.1in support of local programming if the local franchising authority or the local franchising
4.2authority's designee operates an access channel. A franchise fee that is inconsistent with
4.3the express terms of title VI of the Communications Act, United States Code, title 47, section
4.4521, et seq., is prohibited.
4.5 Sec. 6. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 222.37, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
4.6 Subdivision 1.Use requirements.(a) Any water power, telegraph, telephone, broadband,
4.7pneumatic tube, pipeline, community antenna television, cable communications or electric
4.8light, heat, power company, entity that receives a route permit under chapter 216E for a
4.9high-voltage transmission line necessary to interconnect an electric power generating facility
4.10with transmission lines or associated facilities of an entity that directly, or through its
4.11members or agents, provides retail electric service in the state, or fire department may use
4.12public roads for the purpose of constructing, using, operating, and maintaining lines, subways,
4.13canals, conduits, transmission lines, hydrants, or dry hydrants, for their business, but such
4.14lines shall be so located as in no way to interfere with the safety and convenience of ordinary
4.15travel along or over the same; and, in the construction and maintenance of such line, subway,
4.16canal, conduit, transmission lines, hydrants, or dry hydrants, the entity shall be is subject
4.17to municipal franchising or other municipal authorization requirements, including
4.18compensation, as well as all reasonable regulations imposed by the governing body of any
4.19county, town or city in which such public road may be.
4.20 (b) If the governing body does not require the entity to obtain a franchise or permit, an
4.21entity shall notify the governing body of any county, town, or city having jurisdiction over
4.22a public road prior to the construction or major repair, involving extensive excavation on
4.23the road right-of-way, of the entity's equipment along, over, or under the public road, unless
4.24the governing body waives the notice requirement. A waiver of the notice requirement must
4.25be renewed on an annual basis.
4.26 (c) For emergency repair an entity shall notify the governing body as soon as practical
4.27after the repair is made.
4.28 (d) Nothing herein shall be construed to grant to any in this subdivision grants a person
4.29any rights for the maintenance of to construct and maintain a telegraph, telephone, pneumatic
4.30tube, community antenna television system, system or network that provides
4.31telecommunications, broadband, cable communications system, or light, heat, power system,
4.32electric power generating system, high-voltage transmission line, or hydrant system, gas,
4.33electric, or other utility service within the corporate limits of any city until such the person
4.34shall have has obtained a franchise or other municipal authorization that grants the right to
4Sec. 6.
REVISOR RSI/HL 25-0196802/10/25 5.1construct and maintain such the system within such the city or for a period beyond that for
5.2which the right to operate such the system is granted by such the city. Authority granted
5.3under this paragraph must be granted before the person provides the service. A company
5.4that provides multiple services to the public must obtain a franchise or specific municipal
5.5authorization to provide each service.
5.6 Sec. 7. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 237.162, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
5.7 Subd. 4.Telecommunications right-of-way user.(a) "Telecommunications right-of-way
5.8user" means a person owning or controlling a facility in the public right-of-way, or seeking
5.9to own or control a facility in the public right-of-way, that is used or is intended to be used
5.10for providing wireless service, or transporting telecommunications or other voice or data
5.11information service.
5.12 (b) For purposes of this section and section 237.163, telecommunications service does
5.13not include: (1) cable service, as defined under United States Code, title 47, section 522(6);
5.14or (2) broadband service, as defined under section 116J.39, subdivision 1.
5.15 (b) (c) A cable communication system defined and regulated under chapter 238, and an
5.16entity that solely provides broadband services, as defined under section 116J.39, subdivision
5.171, telecommunications activities related to providing natural gas or electric energy services,
5.18a public utility as defined in section 216B.02, a municipality, a municipal gas or power
5.19agency organized under chapter 453 or 453A, or a cooperative electric association organized
5.20under chapter 308A, are not telecommunications right-of-way users for the purposes of this
5.21section and section 237.163, except to the extent these entities are offering wireless services.
5.22 Sec. 8. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 237.163, subdivision 2, is amended to read:
5.23 Subd. 2.Generally.(a) Subject to this section, a telecommunications right-of-way user
5.24authorized to do business under the laws of this state or by license of the Federal
5.25Communications Commission may construct, maintain, and operate small wireless facilities,
5.26conduit, cable, switches, and related appurtenances and facilities along, across, upon, above,
5.27and under any public right-of-way.
5.28 (b) Subject to this section, a local government unit has the authority to franchise and
5.29manage its public rights-of-way, receive compensation for use and occupancy, and to recover
5.30its rights-of-way management costs. Except as provided in subdivisions 3a, 3b, and 3c, the
5.31authority defined in this section may be exercised at the option of the local government unit
5.32and is not mandated under this section. A local government unit may, by ordinance:
5Sec. 8.
REVISOR RSI/HL 25-0196802/10/25 6.1 (1) require a telecommunications right-of-way user seeking to excavate or obstruct a
6.2public right-of-way for the purpose of providing telecommunications services to obtain a
6.3right-of-way permit to do so and to impose permit conditions consistent with the local
6.4government unit's management of the right-of-way;
6.5 (2) require a telecommunications right-of-way user using, occupying, or seeking to use
6.6or occupy a public right-of-way for the purpose of providing telecommunications services
6.7to register with the local government unit by providing the local government unit with the
6.8following information:
6.9 (i) the applicant's name, gopher state one-call registration number under section 216D.03,
6.10address, and telephone and facsimile numbers;
6.11 (ii) the name, address, and telephone and facsimile numbers of the applicant's local
6.12representative;
6.13 (iii) proof of adequate insurance; and
6.14 (iv) other information deemed reasonably necessary by the local government unit for
6.15the efficient administration of the public right-of-way; and
6.16 (3) require telecommunications right-of-way users to submit to the local government
6.17unit plans for construction and major maintenance that provide reasonable notice to the
6.18local government unit of projects that the telecommunications right-of-way user expects to
6.19undertake that may require excavation and obstruction of public rights-of-way.
6.20 (c) A local government unit may also require a telecommunications right-of-way user
6.21that is registered with the local government unit pursuant to paragraph (b), clause (2), to
6.22periodically update the information in its registration application.
6.23 (d) Notwithstanding sections 394.34 and 462.355, or any other law, a local government
6.24unit must not establish a moratorium with respect to:
6.25 (1) filing, receiving, or processing applications for right-of-way or small wireless facility
6.26permits; or
6.27 (2) issuing or approving right-of-way or small wireless facility permits.
6.28 (e) A telecommunications right-of-way user may place a new wireless support structure
6.29or collocate small wireless facilities on wireless support structures located within a public
6.30right-of-way, subject to the approval procedures under this section and, for collocation on
6.31wireless support structures owned by a local government unit, the reasonable terms,
6.32conditions, and rates set forth under this section. A local government unit may prohibit,
6Sec. 8.
REVISOR RSI/HL 25-0196802/10/25 7.1regulate, or charge a fee to install wireless support structures or to collocate small wireless
7.2facilities only as provided in this section.
7.3 (f) The placement of small wireless facilities and wireless support structures to
7.4accommodate small wireless facilities are a permitted use in a public right-of-way, except
7.5that a local government unit may require a person to obtain a special or conditional land
7.6use permit to install a new wireless support structure for the siting of a small wireless facility
7.7in a right-of-way in a district or area zoned for single-family residential use or within a
7.8historic district established by federal or state law or city ordinance as of the date of
7.9application for a small wireless facility permit. This paragraph does not apply to areas
7.10outside a public right-of-way that are zoned and used exclusively for single-family residential
7.11use.
7.12 Sec. 9. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 237.163, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
7.13 Subd. 6.Fees.(a) In addition to franchise fees authorized under section 116J.399,
7.14subdivision 10, a local government unit may recover its right-of-way management costs by
7.15imposing a fee for registration, a fee for each right-of-way or small wireless facility permit,
7.16or, when appropriate, a fee applicable to a particular telecommunications right-of-way user
7.17when that user causes the local government unit to incur costs as a result of actions or
7.18inactions of that user. A local government unit may not recover costs from a
7.19telecommunications right-of-way user or an owner of a cable communications system
7.20awarded a franchise under chapter 238 caused by another entity's activity in the right-of-way.
7.21 (b) Fees, or other right-of-way obligations, imposed by a local government unit on
7.22telecommunications right-of-way users under this section to recover right-of-way
7.23management costs must be:
7.24 (1) based on the actual costs incurred by the local government unit in managing the
7.25public right-of-way;
7.26 (2) based on an allocation among all users of the public right-of-way, including the local
7.27government unit itself, which shall reflect the proportionate costs imposed on the local
7.28government unit by each of the various types of uses of the public rights-of-way;
7.29 (3) imposed on a competitively neutral basis; and
7.30 (4) imposed in a manner so that aboveground uses of public rights-of-way do not bear
7.31costs incurred by the local government unit to regulate underground uses of public
7.32rights-of-way.
7Sec. 9.
REVISOR RSI/HL 25-0196802/10/25 8.1 (c) The rights, duties, and obligations regarding the use of the public right-of-way
8.2imposed under this section must be applied to all users of the public right-of-way, including
8.3the local government unit while recognizing regulation must reflect the distinct engineering,
8.4construction, operation, maintenance and public and worker safety requirements, and
8.5standards applicable to various users of the public rights-of-way. For users subject to the
8.6franchising authority of a local government unit, to the extent those rights, duties, and
8.7obligations are addressed in the terms of an applicable franchise agreement, the terms of
8.8the franchise shall prevail over any conflicting provision in an ordinance.
8.9 (d) A wireless service provider may collocate small wireless facilities on wireless support
8.10structures owned or controlled by a local government unit and located within the public
8.11roads or rights-of-way without being required to apply for or enter into any individual
8.12license, franchise, or other agreement with the local government unit or any other entity,
8.13other than a standard small wireless facility collocation agreement under subdivision 3a,
8.14paragraph (f), if the local unit of government elects to utilize such an agreement.
8.15 (e) Any initial engineering survey and preparatory construction work associated with
8.16collocation must be paid by the cost causer in the form of a onetime, nonrecurring,
8.17commercially reasonable, nondiscriminatory, and competitively neutral charge to recover
8.18the costs associated with a proposed attachment.
8.19 (f) Total application fees for a small wireless facility permit must comply with this
8.20subdivision with respect to costs related to the permit.
8.21 (g) A local government unit may elect to charge each small wireless facility attached to
8.22a wireless support structure owned by the local government unit a fee, in addition to other
8.23fees or charges allowed under this subdivision, consisting of:
8.24 (1) up to $150 per year for rent to occupy space on a wireless support structure;
8.25 (2) up to $25 per year for maintenance associated with the space occupied on a wireless
8.26support structure; and
8.27 (3) a monthly fee for electricity used to operate a small wireless facility, if not purchased
8.28directly from a utility, at the rate of:
8.29 (i) $73 per radio node less than or equal to 100 max watts;
8.30 (ii) $182 per radio node over 100 max watts; or
8.31 (iii) the actual costs of electricity, if the actual costs exceed the amount in item (i) or
8.32(ii).
8Sec. 9.
REVISOR RSI/HL 25-0196802/10/25 9.1 Sec. 10. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 237.163, subdivision 7, is amended to read:
9.2 Subd. 7.Additional right-of-way provisions.(a) In managing the public rights-of-way
9.3and in imposing fees under this section, no a local government unit may franchising authority
9.4is prohibited from:
9.5 (1) unlawfully discriminate discriminating among telecommunications right-of-way
9.6users;
9.7 (2) grant granting a preference to any telecommunications right-of-way user; or
9.8 (3) create creating or erect erecting any unreasonable requirement for entry to the public
9.9rights-of-way by telecommunications right-of-way users; or.
9.10 (4) require a telecommunications right-of-way user to obtain a franchise or pay for the
9.11use of the right-of-way.
9.12 (b) A telecommunications right-of-way user need not apply for or obtain right-of-way
9.13permits for facilities that are located in public rights-of-way on May 10, 1997, for which
9.14the user has obtained the required consent of the local government unit, or that are otherwise
9.15lawfully occupying the public right-of-way. However, the telecommunications right-of-way
9.16user may be required to: (1) comply with all requirements imposed as allowed under this
9.17section; and (2) register and to obtain a right-of-way permit for an excavation or obstruction
9.18of existing facilities within the public right-of-way after May 10, 1997.
9.19 (c) Data and documents exchanged between a local government unit and a
9.20telecommunications right-of-way user are subject to the terms of chapter 13. A local
9.21government unit not complying with this paragraph is subject to the penalties set forth in
9.22section 13.08.
9.23 (d) A local government unit may not collect a fee imposed under this section through
9.24the provision of in-kind services by a telecommunications right-of-way user, nor may a
9.25local government unit require the provision of in-kind services as a condition of consent to
9.26use the local government unit's public right-of-way or to obtain a small wireless facility
9.27permit.
9.28 (e) Except as provided in this chapter or required by federal law, a local government
9.29unit shall not adopt or enforce any regulation on the placement or operation of
9.30communications facilities in the right-of-way where the entity is already authorized to
9.31operate in the right-of-way, and shall not regulate or impose or collect fees on
9.32communications services except to the extent specifically provided for in the existing
9.33authorization, and unless expressly required by state or federal statute.
9Sec. 10.
REVISOR RSI/HL 25-0196802/10/25 10.1 Sec. 11. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 412.221, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
10.2 Subd. 6.Public ways and grounds.(a) The council shall have has the power to lay out,
10.3open, change, widen or extend streets, alleys, parks, squares, and other public ways and
10.4grounds and to grade, pave, repair, control, and maintain the same; to establish and maintain
10.5drains, canals, and sewers; to alter, widen or straighten watercourses; to lay, repair, or
10.6otherwise improve or discontinue sidewalks, paths, and crosswalks.
10.7 It shall have (b) The council has the power: (1) to franchise the occupants and users of
10.8public right-of-way; (2) to receive compensation; and (3) by ordinance to regulate the use
10.9of streets and other public grounds to the extent provided in other applicable law, to prevent
10.10encumbrances or obstructions, and to require the owners or occupants of buildings and the
10.11owners of vacant lots to remove any snow, ice, dirt, or rubbish from the sidewalks adjacent
10.12thereto and in default thereof to cause such encumbrances, obstructions, or substances to
10.13be removed and the cost to be assessed against the property as a special assessment.
10Sec. 11.
REVISOR RSI/HL 25-0196802/10/25