Rhode Island Passes 5G Small-Cells Bill
The Rhode Island General Assembly passed small-cells legislation to promote 5G infrastructure by pre-empting local government authority over wireless siting. It's the 14th state to pass such legislation. The bill seemed to fade in late June, but Tuesday the House…
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voted 65-4 for an amended H-5224 and the Senate voted 30-2 that night to concur. The legislation needs the signature of Gov. Gina Raimondo (D), whose office didn’t comment Wednesday. A California small-cells bill, passed last week, also awaits gubernatorial OK (see 1709150030). California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) is unpredictable, said local government attorney Gail Karish on a Best Best webinar Wednesday. Brown understands the wireless siting issue well, but his position on SB-649 is unknown, she said. Based on the vote counts at the legislature, there might not be enough votes to overcome a veto, Karish said.