{"id":99,"date":"2013-02-19T18:46:08","date_gmt":"2013-02-19T23:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.l-a-k-e.org\/blog\/2013\/02\/alec-again-ga-hb-176-for-higher-cell-towers-with-less-local-government-oversight.html"},"modified":"2013-02-19T18:46:08","modified_gmt":"2013-02-19T23:46:08","slug":"alec-again-ga-hb-176-for-higher-cell-towers-with-less-local-government-oversight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.l-a-k-e.org\/blog\/2013\/02\/alec-again-ga-hb-176-for-higher-cell-towers-with-less-local-government-oversight.html","title":{"rendered":"ALEC again: GA HB 176 for higher cell towers with less local government oversight"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\n<\/a>\nAfter \nmassive public opposition<\/a>\njust fought off\n\na subdivision near Moody’s gate<\/a>,\ndo we want telephone cell towers popping up in Moody’s flight lines?\n\nTrying to outlaw municipal broadband<\/a> isn’t the only thing telecom\ncompanies and ALEC are up to in the Georgia legislature:\nthey’re also pushing a bill for higher cell towers with less\nlocal government control over height or siting.\nDo you want one next to you without even an opportunity for a local government hearing?\n<\/p>\n

\nHere’s what ACCG says about\n\nHB 176<\/a>,\nrenamed from ‘Advanced Broadband Collocation Act’ to\n‘Mobile Broadband Infrastructure Leads to Development (BILD) Act’:\n<\/p>\n

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\nCell Tower Siting Preemption Legislation Progresses<\/a><\/h3>\n

\nHB 176 passed a House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications\nSub-Committee on Thursday. Representatives from ACCG, Cobb County,\nGwinnett County, GMA and several cities expressed concerns on the\nimpact this legislation will have on local cell tower siting\nordinances. This bill significantly preempts local governments in\nreviewing and approving applications for both the modification of\nexisting cell towers and structures (collocation) and the\nconstruction of new cell towers and structures local communities. As\nHB 176 is the top priority of the wireless industry this session and\nis being backed by many other influential groups including the\nAmericans for Prosperity and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, it has\nvery strong momentum. Please have your county staff review the bill\nand inform your House members of any negative implications it has on\nyour local zoning, land use or tower\/equipment application review\nprocesses. This legislation will likely be heard on the House floor\nsoon.\n<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\nGuess who’s chair of the\n\nEnergy, Utilities & Telecommunications SubCommittee<\/a>?\n\n\nDon Parsons,<\/a>\nwho’s also a co-sponsor of both HB 176 and the anti-municipal-broadband HB 282.\nAnd guess what else he’s a member of:\n\nthe ALEC Telecommunications Committee<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\nHere’s a summary of reasons to oppose HB 176 by\n\nGeorgia Planning Association.<\/a>\nHere’s a similar list from\n\nGeorgia Municipal Association.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

\nHere’s\n\na video report<\/a> by Todd Edwards, ACCG Associate Legislative Director:\n<\/p>\n

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