Video & Transcript Research : 'fiber optic'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Building out fiber is very expensive, as Mr. Johnston noted.
- We are in the middle of an upgrade of $1.3 million to maintain and sustain these fiber optic networks
- Building out fiber is very expensive, as Mr. Johnston noted.
- We are in the middle of an upgrade of $1.3 million to maintain and sustain these fiber optic networks
- $250 million worth of fiber network in Massachusetts.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy opened its hearing with testimony on several broadband, towing, and rideshare-related bills. The first major issue was H. 3470/S. 2259, which would add data privacy and integrity protections for transportation network driver information. Rideshare drivers and labor advocates strongly opposed the bill, saying it would delay implementation of Question 3, which Massachusetts voters approved to give rideshare drivers a path to unionize. Drivers described low pay, deactivations, harassment, safety risks, and the need for a union to negotiate fairer working conditions. Legal and labor experts testified that the bill was largely duplicative of existing law and regulations and would unnecessarily postpone drivers’ organizing rights. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on broadband affordability and access bills, including S. 2318/H. 3527 and related measures. Supporters, including legislators, digital equity advocates, senior advocates, and service providers, said low-income households need a permanent affordable broadband option after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended. They argued that internet access is now essential for jobs, school, health care, housing, and daily life, and supported a flat-rate low-income plan around $15 per month with protections such as no installation fees or termination fees. Opponents from cable and wireless industry groups argued the bills would impose artificial price mandates, discourage investment, and reduce consumer choice, noting that providers already offer discounted programs. The committee also heard support for broadband deployment and pole-attachment streamlining bills, with providers and municipal broadband advocates saying permitting delays and pole access bottlenecks slow expansion and raise costs.
Additional testimony covered H. 3566, which would exempt municipal broadband projects from surety bond requirements, and towing-related bills including S. 2235, H. 3507, H. 3516, and H. 3482. Insurance and anti-fraud witnesses supported stronger towing protections, saying some towers charge excessive fees and hold vehicles hostage, while one witness urged broader consumer safeguards. The hearing ended after the chairs shortened testimony to fit the room schedule, asked for final comments on remaining bills, and then adjourned by motion and voice vote.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- That wireline could be fiber or copper right?
- That fiber plan is already pre-established.
- Let's require a company to upgrade its networks with fiber optics by investing a portion of those savings
- because you don't need to push fiber wires all the way to the household.
- There is nothing. stopping them for putting in fiber.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband Mar 24th, 2025
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband
Transcript Highlights:
- There's been a big push on deploying more fiber because fiber has even more capacity and it can handle
- fiber.
- Fiber can continually add capacity and, and we're, we are invested in fiber as The technology for the
- You've got fiber going to wind generators.
- We currently have over 17 million fiber optic and uh strand miles across the state and have invested
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Jul 8th, 2026
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- optic connections.
- Have internet fiber optic connections, and that was a big issue for a lot of camps that didn't have it
- Of course, we mentioned fiber already.
- I think the path we took to get to be able to open many camps because of the fiber optic internet might
- So we found one with the fiber optic. Aside from that, is everything else workable?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That wireline could be fiber or copper, right?
- That wireline could be fiber or copper, right?
- That fiber plan is already pre-established.
- , it does require a company to upgrade its networks with fiber optics by investing a portion of those
- There is nothing stopping them from putting in fiber.
Summary:
The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition.
CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist.
In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Vermont does not have hardwire run everywhere, fiber optics run everywhere, so people can be connected
- does not have hardwire<00:15:35.200>
run <00:15:35.480>everywhere, <00:15:36.520>fiber - <00:15:36.920>
optics hardwire run everywhere, fiber optics hardwire run everywhere, fiber - optics run<00:15:37.800>
everywhere, <00:15:38.920>so <00:15:39.120>people <00:15
Summary:
The House first debated House Bill 527, extending the sunset of 30 V.S.A. chapter 248A, which governs telecom tower siting. Members discussed a Senate proposal of amendment that would require a mandatory local hearing with the developer and the Department of Public Service present. Supporters said the change would improve public participation and local control, especially for rural towns, while opponents argued it could either stall telecom development or speed it up with less input. Several members also raised concerns about health effects of RF radiation and cited scientific studies and court actions, while others said they had not seen evidence of the harms claimed and emphasized the importance of connectivity. A proposed further amendment to shorten the sunset to one year was defeated by roll call, 52-89, and the House then concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment by roll call, 122-14.
The House then took up House Bill 686, relating to expanding identification of certain lobbying advertisements. After suspending rules, members heard a summary of the Senate’s strike-all amendment, which broadened the definition of lobbying communications and required clearer identification and reporting for paid lobbying ads, while avoiding duplicate reporting where campaign finance disclosures already apply. The Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee reported a 10-1-1 straw poll in favor, and the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment.
Next, the House considered Senate Bill 326, miscellaneous amendments to motor vehicle laws. The Transportation Committee described the changes as largely technical, including provisions related to hands-free cell phone use for commercial drivers and to mufflers, motorcycles, and annual inspections. After testimony from Legislative Council and the Department of Motor Vehicles, the committee recommended concurrence on a 9-1-1 straw poll, and the House concurred and then voted to message its action to the Senate forthwith. The chamber also took up the conference report on House Bill 642, youthful offender proceedings, with the conference committee restoring House language allowing victims to attend and present impact statements at both hearings and making several technical cross-reference corrections; the report was presented for House consideration.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband Mar 31st, 2025
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband
Transcript Highlights:
- optic lines and associated equipment.
- And they were going to build a big uh fiber optic from uh Slayton, Texas all the way down to Tohoka,
- That's why we originally built our fiber network.
- Mid-South at for Mid-South Fiber, similar to what Darren testified, we also charge a fiber lease that
- They didn't do make ready, they just started hanging fiber.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Banking, Business, Insurance - Technology Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, and kind of on that same vein, you know, with how data is transited across fiber optic lines, you
- know, I-95, the I-95 corridor is a major route of fiber optic where all those communications travel
- But to Senator Pagion's point, just because the data is traveling on a fiber optic line through Delaware
Summary:
The committee heard several bills, but much of the meeting focused on House Bill 306, which would require disclosure when a consumer is interacting with a chatbot rather than a human. Sponsor Senator Townsend described it as a consumer protection measure and said the bill is meant to keep pace with rapidly changing AI technology. Committee members and witnesses raised concerns about the bill’s enforcement structure, especially private rights of action and penalties that could apply even without actual consumer harm. The Department of Justice said the bill would apply where the conduct has a Delaware nexus, and that the disclosure requirement is the key consumer protection. Industry witnesses and chambers of commerce opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it would create broad compliance burdens and expose businesses to excessive litigation risk without a harm requirement or clearer safe harbor language.
Earlier in the meeting, the committee discussed House Bill 429, which would update Delaware’s step therapy exception process to include biosimilars and interchangeable biologics. Senator Poore and supporters from Highmark and the Department of Insurance said the bill would modernize insurance law, improve access to effective treatments, and reduce costs; they cited national savings from biosimilars and said the bill has agency support. Members asked about Delaware-specific savings, patient switching, and how the process would work, but no vote was taken during the discussion. The committee also heard House Bill 310, which would exclude large data centers from Blue Collar Jobs Act tax credits; the sponsor said the bill is intended to ensure large energy users contribute more to state and local revenues, while supporters and opponents debated competitiveness and community impacts. House Bill 406, on allowing insureds to choose their auto repair shop, and Senate Bill 347, a cleanup bill related to medical debt collection and personal property levies, were also presented without opposition in the hearing. House Bill 253, concerning who may receive letters testamentary or of administration, was described as a cleanup to align statute with existing practice. The committee approved the meeting minutes, but the transcript does not show final votes on the bills discussed.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband Mar 31st, 2025
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband
Transcript Highlights:
- optic lines.
- They were going to build a big fiber optic line from Slayton, Texas, all the way down to Tohoka to pick
- But last summer, back in August, we had an attacher who was pulling fiber.
- Actors come, and all of a sudden, a fiber company shows up.
- We're Mid-South Fiber, similar to what Darren testified.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
89th Legislative Session - Second Called Session Sep 3rd, 2025
Texas House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- optic.
- I wanted to draw attention to the requirement of a physical landline fiber optic cable.
- It's not uncommon—I mean, it does happen—where somebody's digging a ditch somewhere, they hit the fiber
- optic line, and our entire town loses communication. or we lose cell service and internet service.
- ... optic line versus Starlink or some other technology, I think that it is unnecessary to have that
Bills:
SB 1, HCR 20, HR 131, HR 133, HR 135, HR 136, HR 137, HR 144, HR 145, HR 146, HR 149, HR 150, HR 151, HR 152, HR 158, HR 161, HR 162, HR 163, HR 165, HR 166, HR 168, HR 169, HR 170, HR 175, HR 178, HR 127, HR 129, HR 130, HR 132, HR 134, HR 138, HR 139, HR 140, HR 141, HR 142, HR 143, HR 153, HR 154, HR 155, HR 156, HR 159, HR 160, HR 164, HR 167, HR 172, HR 173, HR 176, SB 1, HB 8, HB 15, HB 27, SB 5
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, memorial, remembrance, legacy, condolences, community, higher education, university merger, research, public health, economic impact, healthcare, insurance, affordability, medical coverage, state regulations
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, March 24, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- However, Appalachia is a vast region, and not all of its communities have access to fiber optic broadband
- <03:38:57.840>
optic <03:38:58.239>broadband have access to fiber optic broadband have - <03:39:13.760>
Satellite fiber optic broadband. Satellite fiber optic broadband. - <03:39:25.680>
Expanding fiber optic infrastructure. - Expanding fiber optic infrastructure.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Information Technology Oversight Committee (8-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- /c><00:20:04.080>
the fiber optic uh network in the fiber optic uh network in the Commonwealth - <00:20:14.960>
uh purpose entity called Open Fiber uh purpose entity called Open Fiber uh - <00:20:46.159>
Um, of the network by open fiber. Um, of the network by open fiber. - So, we do that again uh of fiber.
- <01:00:34.480>
Um, the fiber splicers. Um, the fiber splicers.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:27
Legislative Research Commission 00:01:15
KentuckyWired Operations Company 00:17:30
Wireless Internet Service Providers Association 00:40:15
Administrative Office of the Courts 01:08:55
Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts 01:33:00, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the July 9 minutes without objection and heard from Jay Hartz and Jonathan Harris of the Legislative Research Commission. Members asked about Capitol and legislator security in light of recent targeted shootings in other states. Hartz said LRC had removed members’ home addresses from its website, was reviewing other state-government records for similar information, and was working with the Speaker, Senate President, Kentucky State Police, and outside security experts on broader safety measures. He also said LRC is exploring commercial products to help block personal contact information from public view, but declined to name vendors publicly. Harris added that driver’s license scans at the Capitol are handled by Kentucky State Police, while LRC has a process for flagging high-volume or concerning contacts for police review. The LRC also reported that redistricting work has already begun, with census coordination underway, evaluation of redistricting software including Mapitude and open-source tools, and plans to make the same tools available to the public in the LRC library.
The committee then heard from Kentucky Wired Operations Company CEO Robert Morphonius, COO Tom Snyder, and counsel Patrick Hughes about the Kentucky Wired network. They explained the corporate structure: Kentucky Wired Operations Company is a private for-profit special purpose entity that designs, builds, operates, and maintains the network; Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Company is a nonprofit instrumentality used for financing; and Open Fiber Kentucky handles commercialization of excess capacity under a wholesale agreement. They said Kentucky Wired Operations is in the operations and maintenance phase, with those obligations continuing until 2045, and that technical changes to the network generally require KCNA approval through formal change-order processes. They also said the company conducted a market test in June 2023 under Schedule 19 of its contract, considered proposals including Open Fiber and the incumbent service provider, and retained the existing provider.
Members asked about KCNA’s role, procurement, network customers, and revenue. The witnesses said Quac operates outside normal state procurement because its process is governed by contract, while KCNA acts as the Commonwealth’s oversight authority and filter for changes. They identified current network users as including AOC, KCTCS, postsecondary education, and other Commonwealth agencies, with all requests routed through KCNA; they also said a separate change process for Exceliccom is in litigation. On funding, they said the operation is paid through monthly appropriations, with roughly a million dollars a month for the service provider and a couple hundred thousand for Quac’s oversight, not including debt service, which is bundled into the availability payment. The discussion ended as members began asking about responsibility for damage-related costs such as squirrel-related outages.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/19/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- optic lines and ISPs do not have good coverage with self-service or 5G Wi-Fi.
- <01:01:37.760>
optic <01:01:38.039>lines <01:01:38.520>and <01:01:38.720> - isps<01:01:39.359>
do <01:01:39.520>not bury fiber optic lines and isps do not bury - fiber optic lines and isps do not have<01:01:40.000>
good <01:01:40.240>coverage <01:01 - <01:08:34.239>
isn't we think that drilling fiber isn't we think that drilling fiber isn't
Keywords:
HF44, Casey Jones State Trail, Pipestone Trailhead, Currie Loop, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, trail rehabilitation, trail reconstruction, recreational trail, bike trail, hiking trail, infrastructure, state trail, Pipestone, Currie, bonding authorization
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Jun 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- All others have moved forward, recognizing that modern services like fiber-based broadband better meet
- latest amendments, which place this process firmly within the authority of the PUC and triple the fiber
- We have now a three-to-one buildout, which is a lot of fiber work.
- When they pull out of one household, Fiber network? No, this is a three-to-one.
- They're talking about putting in fiber, because fiber optics is the new technology at the time.
Summary:
The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee heard AB 470 by Assembly Member McKinnor, a bill to modernize California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules for voice telephone service and create a process for carriers to transition away from obsolete copper networks in favor of advanced telecommunications infrastructure. The author and supporters said the bill is aimed at preserving reliable voice and 911 access while encouraging private investment in fiber and other modern networks, and emphasized that it is not a broadband bill. Support came from AT&T, business groups, and a former Cal OES director, who argued the bill provides a careful, phased modernization with CPUC oversight and increased public-safety investment requirements.
Opposition came from TURN, CWA District 9, digital equity organizations, labor groups, and several local governments and county representatives. Critics raised concerns about the adequacy of the mapping process, reliance on broadband and wireless coverage data, the lack of on-the-ground verification, the challenge process, possible loss of Lifeline protections, and the impact on workers and union jobs. They also argued the bill could allow carriers to reduce universal-service obligations without enough safeguards for rural and vulnerable customers.
Committee members discussed those concerns at length, especially the map-making process, the challenge procedure, and whether the bill sufficiently protects workers and customers who could be left behind. The author said the bill includes a 10-year backstop if service is lost, a CPUC-led process, and a three-to-one fiber buildout requirement tied to relinquishment, and expressed willingness to continue working with labor on workforce language. The committee ultimately passed AB 470 on a 7-0 due pass vote.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Proposed technologies included fiber, fixed wireless, hybrid fiber and wireless solutions, and low Earth
- And I noticed there were no fiber optic bids for that county either.
- And we're required in those bills that there needs to be, uh, fiber optic service.
- And clearly a a an option for fiber would be most advantageous.
- a lot of fiber going into the metroplex and, and further east.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Jul 9th, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We ran into water lines, we ran into fiber lines, we ran into every single telecommunication or communication
- We just had a company put in fiber optic. We found a lot of things that weren't there.
- It helped a lot when they were putting the fiber optic in because they potholed by the meters and stuff
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- the fiber work.
- That they're not just doing copper, that they are now training their folks in fiber.
- With fiber, putting in fiber optics in underserved areas. So that's one-to-one, households.
- Is the question about, is the comment about the fiber, yeah, the alternative technology?
- With respect to the fiber, there's no guarantee that that fiber would be deployed in the places where
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Y'all all know we're doing a lot of broadband fiber optics and they're going down a lot. on the highway
- Senate Bill 1121 merely adds fiber. projects, communication lines to that list that we don't have to
- We do both fiber op. and fixed wireless infrastructure.
- In 2023, we were awarded a federal grant to extend fiber and fixed wireless services into unserved and
Keywords:
transportation, TxDOT, Texas Department of Transportation, road projects, highways, infrastructure, bridge construction, interchanges, corridor improvements, road widening, railroad grade separation, sound barrier, unified transportation program, legislative notice, project prioritization, capital projects, state highway system, Farm-to-Market Roads, San Antonio, Harris County
NV
Transcript Highlights:
- When you expand that to talk about fiber, vandalism, homelessness, related issues, it is actually millions
- When you expand that to talk about fiber, vandalism, homelessness, related issues, it is actually that
- to talk about fiber, vandalism, homelessness, related issues.
Bills:
AB6, AB102, AB131, AB212, AB213, AB220, AB259, AB282, AB376, AB396, AB479, AB503, AB570, AB572, AB574, AB576, AB593, SB185, SB207, SB507, AB6
Keywords:
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, FASD, prenatal alcohol exposure, children's health, developmental disability, early intervention, treatment assistance, Aging and Disability Services Division, Department of Health and Human Services, Autism Treatment Assistance Program, public health, parent education, evidence-based treatment, Nevada NRS 427A, disability services, behavioral health, emergency medical services, ambulance, licensing, health district
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (01/20/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, you dig into a fiber optic line, you're not just taking one person out of business for the day.
- Uh, you dig into a fiber optic line, you're not just taking one person out of business for the day.
- <01:17:37.360>
optics <01:17:37.679>or complex utilities like fiber optics or complex or uh example fiber optic and broadband or uh example fiber optic and broadband or they<01:23- internet out the fiber optic line, the internet out the fiber optic line, the internet to<01:37:13.199