HB 2196 (Kilgore) and SB 1282 (McDougle) would gut local zoning authority and require that localities allow wireless facilities in their rights of way and on all locally owned property.
The bills grant special privileges to a single industry at the expense of the local taxpayers. Forced use of public property and right of way without adequate compensation forces taxpayers to subsidize a single industry.
HB 2196 will be voted on in the House Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday afternoon in House Room D. (NOTE: The bill was to have been heard this week in committee but rescheduled at the request of the patron)
SB 1282 will be voted on in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Monday afternoon in Senate Room B.
TALKING POINTS
- REQUIRES THAT LOCALITIES OFFER UNFETTERED USE OF ALL LOCAL RIGHT OF WAY AND LOCAL BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
No other non-public business or utility has this kind of access to local property.
Creates a path for franchisees and other businesses to demand access at the same rate to local property as well.
- APPLIES TO ALL WIRELESS INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING 150’ TOWERS
Severely limits citizen input on siting and restricts permitting processes.
Rights of way that have buried utilities will be inundated with these unsightly towers.
- FEES/COSTS
Permitting fees will not cover the cost of review to the locality.
Rental fees for placement on local property are severely limited by the code.
VACo Members – call you legislators today to oppose these problematic bills.
VACo Members – Share your thoughts on FlagPoll.
KEY CONTACTS
House Commerce and Labor Committee: Kilgore (Chairman), Byron (Vice Chair), Ware, Hugo, Marshall, D.W., Cline, Miller, Loupassi, Bell, Robert B., Habeeb, Villanueva, Farrell, O’Quinn, Yancey, Ransone, Ward, Tyler, Keam, Filler-Corn, Kory, Lindsey
Senate Commerce and Labor Committee: Wagner (Chairman), Saslaw, Norment, Newman, Obenshain, Stuart, Stanley, Cosgrove, Chafin, Dance, Lucas, McDougle, Black, Sturtevant, Spruill
VACo Contact: Joe Lerch, AICP