The bill aims to amend the West Virginia Code to facilitate the installation of fiber optics on properties that have conservation easements. It establishes that any local ordinances or policies that conflict with broadband service installation are pre-empted, ensuring that such installations can proceed without hindrance from local regulations or homeowners' association rules. The bill emphasizes that any agreements or policies created after the bill's enactment cannot restrict the installation of necessary equipment for broadband deployment.

Additionally, the bill introduces a provision that allows for the installation of fiber optics on protected properties, provided that it does not adversely affect the conservation values of those properties. The conservation easement holder cannot unreasonably withhold permission for such installations, and the bill outlines that this permission can be granted through the language of the conservation easement, a conservation plan, or through court action if existing easement language prohibits installation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 31G-6-1