No broadband franchising this year

A proposed bill in the Minnesota Legislature that would have treated internet broadband similar to cable television and allowed franchising was removed from the commerce bill on April 15.

The idea was to give local governments the ability to implement franchising broadband internet and collect PEG fees from the bills.

Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley), was the chief author of the bill in the House. His district encompasses the entire cities of Robbinsdale and Golden Valley as well as southeastern portions of Crystal and Plymouth. The city of Robbinsdale was among those who sent letters of support for HF4182.

“While I and many colleagues still believe this is something that needs to be done, we are going to continue to talk to and receive feedback from stakeholders so we can craft the best legislation possible for this. I plan on reintroducing it next session after more of these conversations are had,” Freiberg wrote in a note to the Sun Post.