As Oregon prepares applications for hundreds of millions of dollars in federal infrastructure funds that Congress made available through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Improvement and Jobs Act, the state legislature is doing its part.
HB 3201, sponsored by Rep. Pam Marsh and Sen. Aaron Woods, will fix conflicts between state law and federal rules that could have significantly reduced the amount of federal broadband infrastructure funds Oregon qualifies for. Considering the hardships facing anyone who does not have good internet access today, and the tremendous difference better internet will make for communities across Oregon, passing HB 3201 has been a huge priority for AOC this session.
In terrific news, the bill cleared one of its final hurdles on Tuesday, May 9th, passing out of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Emergency Management, and Federal and World Affairs. It now moves to the Senate Floor, where it is expected to pass. On its way to the governor’s desk, the bill will make one more stop in the House for a concurrence vote, where it is nearly certain to succeed after having passed that chamber with a strong bipartisan majority in March.
HB 3201 initially faced an uncertain path due to fierce opposition from a couple of special interest groups. Many people and organizations contributed to this effort, which began last summer, when Rep. Marsh convened dozens stakeholders to collaborate on solutions, meeting multiple times over a period of months. Sen. Woods, the bill’s other chief co-sponsor, deserves special appreciation for his leadership in reaching an agreement that eliminated all known opposition to the bill, giving it an even better chance of passing. In a glaring oversight, Sen. Woods’ efforts were not acknowledged in AOC’s testimony to the Senate committee earlier this month, a lapse we sincerely regret.
AOC will continue to watch HB 3201’s progress closely, as well as ongoing efforts by the Oregon Broadband Office to obtain the federal funds and get grants out to communities.
Contributed by: Michael Burdick | Legislative Affairs Manager