ALEC is at it Again!

The telecom companies and ALEC are up to their old tricks in the Georgia legislature again: they’re pushing a bill for higher cell towers with less local government control over height or siting. Do you want one next to you without even an opportunity for a local government hearing?

Here’s what ACCG says about HB 176, renamed from ‘Advanced Broadband Collocation Act’ to ‘Mobile Broadband Infrastructure Leads to Development (BILD) Act’:  

Cell Tower Siting Preemption Legislation Progresses

HB 176 passed a House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Sub-Committee on Thursday. Representatives from ACCG, Cobb County, Gwinnett County, GMA and several cities expressed concerns on the impact this legislation will have on local cell tower siting ordinances. This bill significantly preempts local governments in reviewing and approving applications for both the modification of existing cell towers and structures (collocation) and the construction of new cell towers and structures local communities. As HB 176 is the top priority of the wireless industry this session and is being backed by many other influential groups including the Americans for Prosperity and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, it has very strong momentum. 

Please have your county commissioner review the bill and inform your House members of any negative implications it has on your local zoning, land use or tower/equipment application review processes. This legislation will likely be heard on the House floor soon.

Guess who’s chair of the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications SubCommittee? Don Parsons, who’s also a co-sponsor of both HB 176 and the anti-municipal-broadband HB 282. And guess what else he’s a member of: the ALEC Telecommunications Committee.

Here’s a summary of reasons to oppose HB 176 by Georgia Planning Association. Here’s a similar list from Georgia Municipal Association.

There’s still time to write or call your legislator to stop HB 176, the bad cell tower siting bill, and the anti-municipal-broadband HB 282.