BROADBAND PROVIDERS-EASEMENTS

Amends the Electric Supplier Act. In provisions concerning rights granted to electric cooperative broadband grant recipients, provides that, outside of the grant service area, a broadband provider may access and use (i) any existing electric easement held or controlled by the broadband provider or (ii) any other existing electric easement contingent upon an agreement with the easement holder or controller for the delivery of broadband service by the broadband provider. Provides that, if the proper permits are acquired by State and local authorities, no property owner of property located outside the grant service area shall forbid or prevent a proposed broadband provider from entering upon the property for purposes of and in connection with the deployment of broadband infrastructure, nor shall any such property owner forbid or prohibit the broadband provider from deploying upon, beneath, or over that property broadband infrastructure utilized by the broadband provider for such broadband service. Provides that the property owner may be entitled to the payment of just compensation by that broadband provider and the broadband provider shall indemnify the property owner for any physical damage caused by the deployment of the broadband infrastructure and service. Changes references in the Electrical Service Broadband Deployment and Access Law to include broadband providers.

• Michael W. HalpinD