HB 1347 (Heretick) prohibits localities from (1) charging any fees associated with the application, consultation, submission, review and processing for approval to construct, modify, collocate or replace a wireless facility, (2) acquiring information to evaluate an applicant’s business decision, (3) evaluating an application based on the availability of other potential locations, (4) dictating the type of wireless facilities, infrastructure or technology to be used, (5) requiring the removal of existing wireless support structures or wireless facilities, as a condition for approval, and (6) imposing certain environmental testing, sampling or monitoring requirements or instituting any moratorium on the permitting. The proposed bill imposes caps on the fees localities are allowed to charge for the costs directly incurred for granting or processing of an application. The fiscal impact of the bill could be as high as $120,000 for a locality. The bill would impact all localities in some way.
VACo opposes the bill due to the negative fiscal impact on localities. HB 1347 is before the House Commerce and Labor Committee this afternoon.
VACo Contacts: Dean Lynch and Beau Blevins