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CS/SB 552 — Public Records/Broadband Opportunity Program
by Commerce and Tourism Committee and Senator Hooper
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Commerce and Tourism Committee (CM)
The bill creates a public record exemption for information relating to communications services locations, project proposals, and challenges submitted to the Department of Economic Opportunity (department) under the Broadband Opportunity Program, or pursuant to a federal broadband access grant program implemented by the department. Under the bill, such information is confidential and exempt from public record requirements if it is not otherwise publicly available and would reveal:
- The location and capacity of communications network facilities;
- Communications network areas, including geographical maps;
- Features, functions, and capabilities of communications network infrastructure and facilities;
- Security, including cybersecurity, of the design, construction, and operation of the communications network and associated services and products;
- Specific customer locations; or
- Sources of funding or in-kind contributions for a project.
The exemption does not apply to the requirement for the department to publish on its website a description of proposed unserved areas to be served and proposed broadband Internet speeds of the areas to be served.
The exemption is subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act and will stand repealed on October 2, 2028, unless reviewed and reenacted by the Legislature.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2023.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 115-0