MN Senate Committee refers Senate SF0908: revisions on broadband installer training and certification, to Floor

The MN Senate Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development passed and referred

following bill to Senate Floor

SF 0908 – Kupec: Provisions governing the certification of underground telecommunications installers modification

Below is more info on the bill, video of the meeting and notes.

More info: Bill-Summary-SF908-1.pdf

Sen Kupec on the bill

  • Last years’ bill passed
  • But we’re working to make it happen for everyone
  • We want broadband to everyone
  • We’ve kept in safety training
  • Realize that people in the field may not need training
  • Moved the deadline to give more time to build – and develop training
  • Thanks to all of the industry folks who made this happen

Testimony

Melissa Wolf MN Cable

  • Supports the bill
  • We spent time on this, and we compromised.
  • Safety is important
  • This bill helps ensure that we can move forward with building and work on training and certification

Kevin Pranis LiUna

  • Safety us important to us
  • Listening is important – this is better policy. It’s not a compromise

Questions

Q: Thanks for getting a small group together to get this done.

Q: Are we the only state with this requirement?
Not sure.
Yes we are. That’s why compliance was slow.

Q: We are reducing the requirements and pushing back date to Jan 2026?
Yes. Also brings in credits for past training.

Q: How concerns with deadlines are so important we need to pass this before May.
Ditto

This entry was posted in MN, Policy, Vendors by Ann Treacy. Bookmark the permalink.

About Ann Treacy

Librarian who follows rural broadband in MN and good uses of new technology (blandinonbroadband.org), hosts a radio show on MN music (mostlyminnesota.com), supports people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota (elimstrongtowershelters.org) and helps with social justice issues through Women’s March MN.

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