On February 13, Director of Intergovernmental Relations Dominic Butchko testified before the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee in support of HB 626 – Real Estate Development and Highway Rights-of-Way – Installation of Broadband Micro Conduits and Microducts.
This bill seeks to establish commonsense “dig once” policies for installing certain infrastructure underneath our roads.
Counties support “dig once” policies to reduce repeated disruptions and costs through long-term planning. These policies ensure underground work, like utility installation, is completed efficiently to minimize road excavation. This approach preserves road quality and extends infrastructure lifespan.
Counties support HB 626 for promoting smarter infrastructure planning and long-term sustainability. Ensuring that a single broadband installation can serve multiple connections will streamline broadband expansion in underserved areas. This approach enhances accessibility while minimizing unnecessary disruptions to public infrastructure.
More on MACo’s Advocacy: