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Revised Iowa broadband bill keeps local control

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April 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – City officials and local governments in Iowa would maintain their control over where cell towers are placed within city limits under a broadband-expansion proposal adopted by a legislative panel.

A Senate Appropriations subcommittee unanimously approved changes Wednesday to a bill intended to expand broadband access to rural Iowans. The legislation, which now includes language about cell tower placement, is now subject to full committee review as early as Thursday.

The Senate’s proposal strays from a draft in the House, which local officials have said could strip their authority in tower placement decisions. Lawmakers in the Senate have vowed to maintain this authority while still adhering to cellular companies’ concerns.

Democratic Sen. Steve Sodders, of State Center, says the language in the bill has been considered and approved by local officials.