HB1737
To Amend The Transmitting Utility Act; And To Amend The Definition Of "transmitting Utility" To Include Fiber Optic And Broadband Lines.
Last Action (April 14, 2025): Notification that HB1737 is now Act 584
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1737 amends the Transmitting Utility Act in Arkansas by expanding the legal definition of a 'transmitting utility'. The bill adds entities that provide fiber optic communication services, broadband internet services, or similar high-speed data transmission services to the existing list of utilities. Currently, the definition includes businesses involved in railroad operations, telephone or telegraph services, pipeline transport of oil or gas, and the distribution of electricity, steam, gas, or water. By classifying broadband and fiber optic providers under this act, the bill subjects these entities to the specific legal frameworks and regulations governing transmitting utilities within the state. The primary purpose is to update legislative definitions to align with modern telecommunications infrastructure.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
Broadband and fiber optic internet service providers will benefit from being legally classified as transmitting utilities, which may provide them with specific regulatory advantages or streamlined processes associated with that designation. Additionally, local governments and the public may see benefits if this classification facilitates the expansion of high-speed internet infrastructure and improved connectivity throughout the state.
Who Might Suffer?
Potentially negatively impacted entities could include local property owners or municipalities that deal with utility easements and right-of-way negotiations, as the classification of broadband providers as transmitting utilities could alter the legal dynamics of infrastructure installation on private or public land. Furthermore, current transmitting utilities may experience increased market competition as new entities under this classification may gain similar operational statuses.
Vote Records
Third Reading
April 8, 2025View individual votes (35)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jane English | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jonathan Dismang | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Greg Leding | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Missy Irvin | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Bryan King | Republican | Senate | Absent |
| Kim Hammer | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Stephanie Flowers | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Frederick Love | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Terry Rice | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Reginald Murdock | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Gary Stubblefield | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jim Dotson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| John Payton | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Alan Clark | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ronald Caldwell | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Bart Hester | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jimmy Hickey | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Dan Sullivan | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| David Wallace | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Blake Johnson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Justin Boyd | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clarke Tucker | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Scott Flippo | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clint Penzo | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Mark Johnson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ricky Hill | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jamie Scott | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Breanne Davis | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ben Gilmore | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Joshua Bryant | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt McKee | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jim Petty | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Steve Crowell | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Tyler Dees | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt Stone | Republican | Senate | Yea |
Third Reading
March 20, 2025View individual votes (100)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Steele | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Fred Allen | Democrat | House | NV |
| Lane Jean | Republican | House | Yea |
| Stephen Meeks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mark Perry | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jon Eubanks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matthew Shepherd | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jeff Wardlaw | Republican | House | NV |
| Bruce Cozart | Republican | House | Yea |
| David Whitaker | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Mike Holcomb | Republican | House | Yea |
| Stephen Magie | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Mark McElroy | Republican | House | Yea |
| Richard Womack | Republican | House | NV |
| Jack Ladyman | Republican | House | Yea |
| Robin Lundstrum | Republican | House | Yea |
| Dwight Tosh | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rick Beck | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mary Bentley | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Eaves | Republican | House | Yea |
| Justin Gonzales | Republican | House | NV |
| Julie Mayberry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ken Ferguson | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Ron Mcnair | Republican | House | Yea |
| Marcus Richmond | Republican | House | Yea |
| Deann Vaught | Republican | House | Yea |
| Karilyn Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Sonia Eubanks Barker | Republican | House | Yea |
| Frances Cavenaugh | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jimmie Gazaway | Republican | House | Yea |
| Roger Lynch | Republican | House | Yea |
| John Maddox | Republican | House | Yea |
| Aaron Pilkington | Republican | House | Yea |
| Johnny Rye | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Warren | Republican | House | Yea |
| Carlton Wing | Republican | House | Yea |
| Austin Mccollum | Republican | House | Yea |
| Carol Dalby | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steve Hollowell | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brian Evans | Republican | House | Yea |
| Lee Johnson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Andrew Collins | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Stan Berry | Republican | House | NV |
| Harlan Breaux | Republican | House | Yea |
| Cameron Cooper | Republican | House | NV |
| Nicole Clowney | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Cindy Crawford | Republican | House | Yea |
| Denise Garner | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Tippi McCullough | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jay Richardson | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jim Wooten | Republican | House | Yea |
| Denise Ennett | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Richard McGrew | Republican | House | Yea |
| Joy Springer | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Howard Beaty | Republican | House | Yea |
| Tony Furman | Republican | House | Yea |
| Kendon Underwood | Republican | House | Yea |
| David Ray | Republican | House | Yea |
| John Carr | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rick McClure | Republican | House | Yea |
| Keith Brooks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ashley Hudson | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jon Milligan | Republican | House | Yea |
| RJ Hawk | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wade Andrews | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rebecca Burkes | Republican | House | Yea |
| Hope Duke | Republican | House | Yea |
| Zack Gramlich | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mindy McAlindon | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matt Duffield | Republican | House | Yea |
| Stetson Painter | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steve Unger | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wayne Long | Republican | House | Yea |
| Scott Richardson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brandon Achor | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jeremiah Moore | Republican | House | Yea |
| Joey Carr | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matt Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Shad Pearce | Republican | House | Yea |
| Chad Puryear | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ryan Rose | Republican | House | Yea |
| Bart Schulz | Republican | House | NV |
| Trey Steimel | Republican | House | Yea |
| Tara Shephard | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jeremy Wooldridge | Republican | House | Yea |
| Kendra Moore | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brit McKenzie | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steven Walker | Republican | House | NV |
| Glenn Barnes | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Lincoln Barnett | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Alyssa Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Nick Burkes | Republican | House | Yea |
| Paul Childress | Republican | House | Yea |
| James Eaton | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brad Hall | Republican | House | Yea |
| Dolly Henley | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jessie McGruder | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jason Nazarenko | Republican | House | Yea |
| Randy Torres | Republican | House | Yea |
| Diana Gonzales Worthen | Democrat | House | Yea |
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