Bill would restrict some municipal Internet ventures

ATLANTA - A bill up for committee vote under the gold dome would prohibit some rural communities from investing in building or expanding municipally-owned broad band Internet systems.

Amy Henderson of the Georgia Municipal Association said House Bill 282 could slow the growth of high-speed internet to rural parts of the state.

"The cities and counties that have gone into this are trying to make the infrastructure available to the industries that are competing in a global economy and need fast reliable Internet."

One of the sponsors, Republican Representative Mark Hamilton of Cumming said it will prevent taxpayer funds from being used to compete with private business.

The measure is called the Municipal Broadband Investment Act.

Link: HB 282