On March 19, the House Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee discussed: HF4659 (Berg) Safety standards for broadband industry installers required; and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program implemented. (This bill has been discussed earlier.)

It was re-referred to the Committee on Labor and Industry Finance and Policy.

Pro Comments:

• For worker and public Safety
• Research found gaps in safety standards
• Lots of turnover – many had less than two years on the job
• Holds telecom provider contractor accountable
• Broadband installers are less trained than other utilities

Con Comments:

• This will be difficult financially and logistically
• This will make broadband deployment too expensive – especially smaller coops and startups

Questions:

• How will this impact the broadband goal?
  The intention of the bill is to support the goal – retaining skilled workforce will help.
• Who will absorb the cost of the raises and training?
  Skilled workforce pays for itself. Costs are rising with or without this bill. We aren’t clear on specifics of rising costs.
• Won’t training mean fewer people will be available to work? Won’t that be expensive?
  We are seeing the opposite.