Oklahoma Senate Bill SB471

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Telecommunications; authorizing Office of Management and Enterprise Services to appraise and sell assets of State Regents for Higher Education; creating OneNet Privatization Revolving Fund. Effective date.

Impact

The bill represents a significant shift in state policy regarding telecommunications, as it enables the state to divest from owning and managing certain telecom assets. With the OneNet Privatization Revolving Fund, the state aims to reinvest the proceeds from the sale into improving broadband services. This could potentially lead to enhanced connectivity for residents, especially in rural areas, where high-speed internet access has been historically limited.

Summary

Senate Bill 471 (SB471) addresses the management of telecommunications infrastructure within Oklahoma. It authorizes the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to appraise and sell various assets related to the OneNet telecommunications network, which is operated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The legislation is designed to facilitate the sale of these assets while establishing guidelines for the process. The proceeds from the sale are intended to be directed toward the creation of the OneNet Privatization Revolving Fund, which will be used to expand broadband infrastructure across the state.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding the privatization of state-owned telecommunications infrastructure, particularly regarding the job security of current OneNet employees. The bill allows for the retention of employees at the discretion of the agency but does not guarantee employment with the new private entity acquiring the assets. Critics could argue that this lack of job security poses risks for affected workers, while supporters may claim that privatization could lead to more efficient management and service delivery.