SPONSOR: Riggs
This bill establishes the "Department of Transportation Fiber Network Expansion Act", which provides that the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission may enter into public-private partnerships with private broadband Internet service providers to expand and develop the Department of Transportation's fiber network. The Commission will prioritize expansion and development under the bill in unserved areas and underserved areas, as defined by law.
The Commission must use a competitive procurement process to form the public-private partnerships, including publishing notice as specified in the bill. As part of a contract award under the bill, the private partnering entity can use the excess fiber capacity to provide Internet services, as long as the services provided meet the State minimum standard for broadband.
This bill is similar to HB 2388 (2024).
Statutes affected: