Oklahoma Senate Bill SB471

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Telecommunications; authorizing Office of Management and Enterprise Services to appraise and sell assets of State Regents for Higher Education; creating OneNet Privatization Revolving Fund. Effective date.

Impact

The passing of SB471 will have considerable implications on state laws by allowing the sale of state educational telecommunications infrastructure. This move is positioned to enhance the financial capabilities of the Oklahoma Broadband Office by allowing for targeted investment into broadband expansion across the state. Once the assets are sold, it provides flexibility in the management of these funds, ensuring they are utilized for improving connectivity in underserved regions, which could potentially bridge the digital divide in Oklahoma.

Summary

Senate Bill 471 is a significant legislative measure focused on the privatization of the OneNet telecommunications network, which is currently operated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The bill authorizes the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to appraise and sell all assets associated with OneNet, including infrastructure and property. Proceeds from these sales are directed to the newly created OneNet Privatization Revolving Fund, which will be used to expand broadband infrastructure across Oklahoma. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2023, indicating a shift towards the financial management of state telecommunications resources.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, SB471 raises concerns regarding the guaranteed employment of current OneNet employees, as the bill stipulates that their employment is at the discretion of the Chancellor and does not guarantee positions with the private entity that acquires OneNet. Legislative discussions around this bill may involve contention on whether privatizing state assets is in the best interest of public broadband services or if it undermines the capacity of state agencies to manage such critical infrastructure effectively. The degree to which private entities can maintain service standards compared to public management could be another point of debate.