Energy and Technology Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: HB-6442
Title: AN ACT CONCERNING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO BROADBAND.
Vote Date: 3/18/2021
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/9/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Energy and Technology Committee
Rep. Josh Elliott
REASONS FOR BILL:
This bill is the Governors HB for the Energy and Technology committee. It focuses on the
state's investment into affordable and accessible broadband in the state. Also creates new
investments and regulations is the broadband industry. Provisions would be enacted starting
July 1st if passed.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
Governor Lamont: The Governor writes in support of this bill. Highlights the
importance of investing on affordable broadband access. Says that proposed
legislation will help reduce costs and grow state's economy. Also notes the racial
inequities when it comes to access to broadband in the state.
Katie Dykes, DEEP writes in support of this bill. They say this will help Connecticut
gain high-speed internet access and allow the state to remain competitive.
Marrissa Gillet, PURA writes informational testimony on the bill. They lay out the
different components and changes in the bill that would affect them as an agency and
how the legislation would change the way they provide certain reports. They also add
modifications they would like to see that deal with changes in dates that affect PURA.
Richard E. Sobolewski, The Office of Consumer Counsel writes in support of this
bill. They say this bill lays out an effective way for the state to deal with the issue of
broadband and it will serve to help reduce costs and grow Connecticut.
Attorney General William Tong Writes in Support of the bill. Highlights that this bill is
a realistic and legal way for the state to monitor broadband for the future.
 Treasurer Shawn T. Wooden Writes in support of this bill. Says this bill tackles the
need for highspeed internet in the state. Also says this bill will help reduce costs and
address inequalities that are currently present in broadband access.
Doug Casey, The Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology writes in
support of the bill. They say this bill will help the education in our state and address
inequities when it comes to broadband access.
Scott Gaul, The Office of Policy and Management write in support of the bill. They
say it offers an ambitious goal for highspeed broadband access and creates a
comprehensive plan on how to implement it in the state going forward.
David Lehman, Department of Economic and Community Development writes in
support of this bill. They say highspeed broadband access is necessary of a 21st
century economy and this bill helps achieve that.
State Comptroller Kevin Lembo: Writes in support of this bill saying that it provides a
quality of service many parts of Connecticut have been asking for. Will also help
address inequities in service provided in the state.

NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Marjorie Arni: Writes in support of this bill. Says it will provide and better environment
for citizens and a better business environment in the state.
Al Carbone, Avangrid/UIL Holdings writes some suggestions for the bill. They write
in their testimony things they believe the state needs to be mindful of in final passage
of this bill. This includes things such as the safety of electrical workers and how PURA
should work with telecommunication companies on how to go forward. Provides
specific language for their proposals as well.
Joshua Broder: Tilson Writes in support of this bill in concept but provides some
suggestions on how to better write it.
Brent M. Colley, The First Selectman from Sharon writes in support of this bill. Says
the upgrades are necessary and now is the time to address it.
AARP: Writes in support of the bill. Says that it provides a comprehensive and
important blueprint for the state's future in highspeed broadband access. Also provide
suggestions on how to further strengthen bill.
Betsy Gara: Connecticut Council of Small Towns writes in support of the bill. They say
this is important in increasing access to broadband and lower costs statewide.
Gary Greenberg, the first selectman from town of Scotland writes in support of this
bill. Says this is an important step to protecting Connecticut citizens from the
monopolies of service providers.
Donna Hamzy, The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities writes in support of
this bill. Says this makes a necessary investment in broadband in the state and
highlights some language changes that could help strengthen the bill.
Wayne Hileman: Northwest ConneCT writes in support of this bill with provisions.
Wants to see bill enacted with exceptions of having municipalities be able to attach
wire to poles, preserve the rights of pole owners to conduct initial surveys, and institute
conditions that PURA determines should vary from details of FCC regulations.
Seth Hoedl: The Post Road Foundation writes in support of the bill. Says this
provides a necessary investment to broadband in the state and that this bill is helpful
to the citizens of Connecticut.
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 Sal Luciano: The Connecticut AFL-CIO writes in support of the concept of the bill
but have reservations. Want to work with the administration to develop legislation that
will protect Connecticut workers and jobs while providing highspeed broadband to the
state.
Kim Maxwell: Northwest Connect Writes in general support for the bill. They say the
need for broadband access in the state is great and fully support the bill in that regard.
Have some comments on how the bill can be improved going forward.
Kelly McConney Moore: The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut writes
in support of the bill. Says the bill addresses inequities in broadband access that have
been made clearer because of the pandemic.
Dr. Michael A. Rooke: Northwestern CT Community College writes in support of
this bill saying access to broadband is necessary in the state of Connecticut.
JoAnn Ryan: Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce writes in support of
the bill saying it provides necessary investment into broadband.
David Weidlich: CWA Local 1298 writes in support in part and opposition in part to
the bill. They say if modified to protect Connecticut works, they could wholeheartedly
support the bill. Outline details on how to do that in their testimony.
Senator Kevin Witkos: Writes in support of overall goal of the bill. Says the need for
broadband access in Connecticut have never been clearer than it is now.
Many pieces of testimony were submitted by the public in general support that
followed along the same lines. They write saying broadband creates better more
affordable internet access and that the goals laid out should be pursued by the state
legislature.
Monique Abreu
Ceely Ackerman
Michael Barlerin
Hugh Barnett
Joseph Baxer
Tony Bedini
Edward Bent
Candace Bouchard
John Brannelly
John Brett
Greg Brick Jr.
Bill Brown
Todd Bryda
Mark Bunnell
Matt Butcher
Debra Cahill
Deborah Carter
Michael Cheng
Mr and Mrs. Bruce L. Crumley
John Cusano
Rufus de Rham
Doreen Deary
DeMelle Walter
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 Peter Demy
Marvin Den
Marilyn Diaz
Carole Dmytryshak
Michael Dobo
Kim Downey
Jill Drew
Jan and ike Dudek
Dennis Fallon
Katherine Freygang
Kathleen Friedman
Patrick Gallaway
Bert Goff
Janet Graaff
Laurie Greene
John Halloran
James Hatch
Robert Hobbs
Kelly Hughes
Susan Irwin
Daniel Javitch
Maura Johnson
Michael Johnson
Rhonda Kincaid
Dominique Lahaussois
Patricia Lang
Kenneth Levien
Laurie Lisle
Brooke Loening
David Low
Brett Marchard
Michael McCabe
Laura McCarthy
Larry McChesney
Duncan McClelland
Libby Mitchell
Judith Motel
Francoise Mouly
Phyllis Nauts
Ben Paletsky
Candy Perex
Alexandra Peters
Lottie Prushinski
Dennis Raap, First Selectman of Litchfield
Drew Robbins
Grace Schalkwyk
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 Kathi Schapp
Jacque Schiller
Albertus Schmitz
Michael Schulde
Louis Sciullo
Helen Scoville
Mike Selbach
Victoria Selbach
Tom Shachtman
Bernard Singer
Bill Skoczylas
Michelle Sorrentino
Art Spiegelman
Ann Spindler
Doreen Springsteen
Lloyd Stableford
Donald Stein, First Selectman town of Barkhamsted
Peter Steiner
Ian Strever
Beverly Sullivan
Anna Timell
Any Tobin
Todd Henry, First Selectman town of Canaan
Mark Trager
Christopher Tripler
Edmund Ullman
Jennifer Weigel
Christopher Weldon
Elaine Werner
Gaby Wessberg
John Wessberg
Christian Williams
Roberta Willis
Johan Winsser
Amy Wynn
Patricia Zyjewski
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
Rick Aiello: Writes in opposition to this law. Says the effects of 5G radiation will be
detrimental to the health and livelihood of all citizens in Connecticut and provides
reports on the claim.
Paska Ann: CT Residents for Responsible Technology writes in opposition to the
bill. Says state should wait until the bill complies with federal law and precedent
regarding 4G and 5G deployment in the state.
Page 5 of 7 HB-6442
 Antje Bakalov: Writes in opposition to this bill. Cites the New Hampshire Commission
on 5G and states there are adverse health effects that would be caused by this bill.
Kristin Beatty: Last Tree Laws writes in opposition to this bill saying that only hard-
wired broadband investment should be allowed.
Doug Brake: The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation write in
opposition to the bill. Says the bill will disrupt current broadband success.
Michael A. Chowaniec: Charter Communications writes in opposition to the bill.
They believe that the bill will actually lessen Connecticut resident access to highspeed
broadband. Says that the bill will slow down the progress made with broadband by
having it run through PURA.
Michael J. Cicchetti: Frontier Communications writes in opposition to the bill. They
say that provisions in the bill will slow down progress made by service providers in
Connecticut and actually increase costs.
Connecticut Realtors: Writes in Opposition to the bill. They say that section 5 of this
bill would create new obstacles in the real estate marketplace.
The CT Freedom Alliance LLC: Writes in Opposition to the bill. Their main point of
contention stems around the lack of a safety study to the ever growing impact of
electromagnetic frequency radiation from 5G.
AT&T: Writes in opposition to this bill. They support the intent of the bill and it's
mission but find that the Biden Administration and federal government are better
equipped to deal with this.
Eric Gjede: The Connecticut Business & Industry Association writes in opposition
to this bill. They take concerns with how broadband is defined and how success is
measured with this bill. Also has concerns with cost to the tax payers that are laid out
in the bill
David Lamendola: Verizon writes in opposition to the bill. They say that they hold
similar goals in terms of highspeed broadband access but vary on how to get there.
They say that the regulatory doctrine used in this bill is outdated and would slow down
broadband progress in the state.
Vincent Pace: Eversource writes amendments to the current bill that would change
section 20 of the bill.
Jim Perras: Home Builders & Remodelers Association writes in concern over this
bill. Wants to delete section 5 of the bill and to JFS out of committee with that change.
John Souza: Connecticut Coalition of Property Owners writes in concern over this
bill. Wants to delete section 5 of the bill and to JFS out of committee with that change.
Altice USA & Charter Communications: Writes in opposition to this bill. Says the bill
violates section 253 of the Communications Act.
Many pieces of testimony were submitted by the public in general opposition that
followed along the same lines. They write saying broadband and 5G have
unresearched health effects that should be taken seriously. Also pointed to economic
issues such as cost to the tax payer and utilities regulation.
Rick Aiello
Antje Bakalow
Megan Belval
Suzanne Binelli
Marguerite Christie
Eileen Ciampini
Page 6 of 7 HB-6442
 Dellamarie
Sally Finck
Whitney Flood
Jen Freed
Lena Gjonaj
Judith Graffenried
Brian Griffin, Greater Norwalk Chamber
Susan Hill
Alison Hobbs
Eva Ingegerd
Barbara Johnson
Brittany Kilburn
Christine Kurowski
Sofia Ljuslin
Denise Lusitani
Margaret Lynch
Andrea Malise
Erin Mariano
Colin McNamara
Isabelle Menozzi
Meredith Mielson
Meredith Obreiter
Jessica Patterson
Joan Polzin
Sandeep R.
Jennifer Ramos-Marrero
Julie Retzlaff
Bella Romano
Patty Roth
Kristen Sabad
Amanda Seitz
Taya Stanley
Ryan Suter
Jennifer Sylvia
Ronald Vivar
Carl Waldo
Lisa Waldo
Diana Waller
Cheryl Wiener
Jessia Wysocki
Reported by: William Ginn Date: April 6th 2021
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Statutes affected:
Governor's Bill: 16-233, 16-11, 16-12, 16-16, 16-47, 16-49, 16-331f, 16-331q, 16-247r
ET Joint Favorable: 16-233, 16-11, 16-12, 16-16, 16-47, 16-49, 16-331f, 16-331q, 16-247r
File No. 262: 16-233, 16-11, 16-12, 16-16, 16-47, 16-49, 16-331f, 16-331q, 16-247r
APP Joint Favorable: 16-233, 16-11, 16-12, 16-16, 16-47, 16-49, 16-331f, 16-331q, 16-247r
File No. 786: 16-49
Public Act No. 21-159: 16-49