CHARLESTON, WV - Senate Bill 315, otherwise known as the Broadband Bill, was not reported out of the House Committee on Political Subdivisions during this legislative session. Senator Chris Walters, R-Putnam, was the lead sponsor on the bill. The bill would have brought high-speed Internet to rural areas of West Virginia and created one of the fastest and most affordable fiber optic infrastructures in the United States. Senator Walters was disappointed in the lack of progress the bill had in the House of Delegates. “I’m not sure why providing high speed Internet to all of West Virginia was something that was not considered a priority,” Walters said. Walters says it is not the end for broadband expansion though. Walters, along with the staff of Governor Earl Ray Tomblin and FCC Telecommunications Access Policy Division Chief Ryan Palmer, will be working together after session to research and acquire grant funding for future infrastructure projects. “Although the Broadband Bill didn’t make it through, I am going to continue to find ways to improve Internet access to the people of West Virginia,” Walters said. |
Senate News Releases | | House News Releases |