A Nebraska bill would give local authorities fresh responsibilities under the state’s small-cells law. Sen. John Cavanaugh (D) introduced LB-134 Friday. Authorities “shall provide reasonable notification to adjacent property owners or residents” before installing small-cell facilities, the bill says. Before installing any new or modified utility pole in the right of way, authorities would have to ensure compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, the authority would have to ensure the pole “doesn’t obstruct or hinder usual traffic or public safety” in the ROW or “obstruct the legal use of such right-of-way by any utility or impede the safe operation of such utility's system or provision of its service.”

A West Virginia Public Service Commission recommended decision clearing Guardian’s acquisition of Intrado will become final Tuesday absent further PSC action, the commission ordered Thursday in docket 22-0900-T-PC. The PSC granted Wednesday’s Intrado motion to waive a 15-day period for parties to file exceptions to the previous day’s recommended decision. “It is reasonable to consent to the proposed transaction because the terms of the transaction are reasonable, do not adversely affect the public and no party is given an undue advantage,” the recommendation said.

Virginia ISPs would be considered public utilities and public service corporations under a bill prefiled Thursday by Del. Clinton Jenkins (D). Broadband providers would have to register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission under HB-1533. The VSCC may grant a certificate to an ISP for providing broadband “where it finds that such action is justified by public interest, and is in accordance with such terms, conditions, limitations, and restrictions as may be prescribed by the Commission for broadband service,” the bill said. ISPs existing before July 1, 2023, would get until Jan. 1, 2024, to seek the certificate, which would cover only broadband service or facilities after that date, it said.

South Dakota plans to award $25 million for broadband projects this year through the ConnectSD program, Republican Gov. Kristi Noem’s economic development office said Thursday. Grant applications will be available soon, it said.

Nebraska legislators may consider allowing municipal broadband. Sen. Justin Wayne (D) introduced a bill (LB-26) Thursday that would allow municipal broadband on a retail or wholesale basis within its own jurisdiction if located in an underserved or unserved area. “A municipality may initiate the process of developing a broadband network by conducting a feasibility study and ordering the preparation of a resolution of intent to develop such broadband network … by a vote of the majority of the members of the governing body of the municipality,” it said. Under a separate state bill (LB-63) introduced Thursday by Sen. Eliot Bostar (D), Nebraska would withhold state USF support from any telecom company using equipment or services deemed to pose a national security threat. The proposed law would rely on a list published by the FCC Public Safety Bureau. Another Nebraska bill introduced Thursday would authorize licensing of dark fiber by any state agency or political subdivision. LB-61 by Sen. Tom Brandt (R) would also eliminate Nebraska Public Service Commission jurisdiction over certain violations and appeals.

Mississippi’s broadband office is “extremely busy” putting a challenge together in time for the Jan. 13 deadline to correct the FCC’s national broadband map, said Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi Director Sally Doty on a Broadband.Money webinar Friday. Another month would help, said Doty, saying the winter holidays made the current compressed time frame even more difficult and noting Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., wrote a letter seeking more time. NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson said last month that NTIA was evaluating states’ concerns with the map challenge deadline (see 2212200060).

The Wisconsin Public Service Commission seeks applications for two telecom affordability programs funded by USF, the PSC said Wednesday. Applications for the $500,000 nonprofit access and $250,000 Lifeline outreach grant programs are due March 1, the PSC said. The first program is for nonprofits to propose affordable access projects for low-income households, people with disabilities and customers in high-cost areas. The programs “are fundamental to the PSC’s mission of ensuring equitable access to telecommunications services for all Wisconsinites,” said Chairperson Rebecca Cameron Valcq.

Georgia tagged $234 million for broadband expansion through 29 preliminary grant awards using U.S. Treasury Capital Projects Fund dollars, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) said Wednesday. The state awarded 12 ISPs, including large companies, electric cooperatives and a local Georgia telco, Kemp’s office said. Cable companies and Windstream got nearly three-quarters of the cash: Comcast got about $57 million, Charter Communications about $49.5 million, Windstream about $34.9 million and Mediacom about $28.4 million.

Archtop Fiber agreed to acquire Hancock Telephone, a family-owned telco in Hancock, New York, Archtop said Thursday. Under the stock purchase agreement, Archtop will provide broadband and phone services to New York’s Delaware County and northeastern Pennsylvania, it said. Archtop expects to close the deal in early 2023, pending regulatory approvals, it said. Archtop agreed in November to acquire New York-based GTel.

Ohio banned holding a cellphone while driving. Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a distracted driving bill (SB-288) Monday, his office said. The law designates use of cellphones and other electronic communications devices while driving as a primary offense for all drivers and allows the police to immediately pull over violators. Under a previous law, distracted driving was a primary offense only for juvenile drivers; adults could be pulled only over if they were also committing another primary violation like speeding. The law takes effect in 90 days and there will be a six-month grace period in which violators only get warnings. After that, penalties include a maximum $150 fine for the first offense, plus two points on their license unless the violator completes a distracted driving safety course. “Too many people are willing to risk their lives while behind the wheel to get a look at their phones," said DeWine: The governor hopes SB-288 “will prompt a cultural shift around distracted driving that normalizes the fact that distracted driving is dangerous, irresponsible, and just as deadly as driving drunk.”