The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to grant county commissions the authority to lease, rent, or permit the use of county-owned wireless towers to various entities, provided they meet specific criteria. It establishes that entities seeking to use these towers must not be associated with foreign adversaries or engage in unconstitutional surveillance activities. Additionally, they must implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure. The bill also stipulates that county commissions cannot charge public safety operations, the West Virginia Division of Highways, or other state agencies for the use of these towers, as long as they meet the outlined requirements.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that county commissions conduct due diligence before allowing any entity to use the wireless towers, ensuring compliance with the established criteria. It protects county commissions from liability for any damages or claims arising from an entity's failure to meet these requirements. The bill also allows county commissions to charge fees for other uses of county properties and provides for the establishment of a panel to oversee the allocation of these properties, with specific guidelines for its composition and operation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 7-1-3k
Committee Substitute: 7-1-3k