Oregon House Panel OKs USF Bill to Expand Contribution, Create Broadband Fund
An Oregon House panel cleared a state USF measure to establish a broadband fund, increase the maximum surcharge to 7 percent and expand the definition of retail telecom service to include wireless and VoIP. The House Economic Development Committee voted…
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7-4 Monday for HB-2184, referring the measure to the Revenue and Ways and Means committees. The broadband fund would provide grants and loans in unserved and underserved areas for at least 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps up. The panel adopted an amendment that would cap the fund at $30 million annually for basic phone service and transfer to the broadband fund the lesser of $10 million or the remainder of USF money above that $30 million. Four Republican committee members voted no at the webcast work session. Rep. Christine Drazan (R) wants to let the new state broadband office (see 1812200048) "get up and running, and identify what the projects are and what the actual scope of the need is, before moving forward with a specific measure.” Rep. Kim Wallan (R) wants to see a broadband map before giving money, she said. The Public Utility Commission last year held off voting on requiring VoIP to contribute to state USF (see 1811280057).