Bellows bill would encourage further broadband coverage in Maine

Posted: January 21, 2020 | Senator Bellows

A bill sponsored by Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, would encourage further development of broadband coverage in Maine. LD 1563, “An Act To Encourage the Development of Broadband Coverage in Rural Maine,” was the subject of a public hearing in the Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on Tuesday.

“We all know that high-speed, reliable internet is crucial to growing our economy, educating our young people and caring for our seniors,” said Sen. Bellows. “My bill would pave the way for communities to secure planning grants for broadband and identifying where in the state we need to invest to get to the goal of truly universal statewide internet.”

LD 1563 accomplishes these goals by making three changes:

  • Renaming ConnectME to ConnectMaine; 
  • Requiring ConnectMaine to collect data from providers that is needed to accomplish the statutory goals of the authority; and
  • Changing the ConnectMaine planning grant structure to provide more flexibility for communities and lower the potential barriers for communities to start the process of planning.

“These changes in statute will allow ConnectMaine staff and board to work with communities and providers to continue to make our grants meet the ever-changing needs of this rapidly growing sector in our economy,” said Peggy Schaffer, Executive Director of ConnectME.

Nancy Smith, Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine, a statewide non-partisan organization working to create lasting prosperity without sacrificing the quality of life that defines Maine, submitted testimony in favor of LD 1563 on behalf of the Maine Broadband Coalition, of which GrowSmart Maine is a member.

The name change makes it clear that ConnectMaine will work on behalf of the entire state, not any individual Mainer. The data collection will ensure that it is known which areas are or are not underserved. There are significant amounts of federal money available for broadband, but much of that money has restrictions that can only be met if Maine has certain required data. And reducing the regulatory burden on community groups who wish to pursue broadband planning grants is in keeping with the state’s goals to encourage local leadership and investment in broadband by helping not to make life more complicated or difficult for these local groups.

The bill faces further action in the committee, as well as votes in the Maine Senate and House.