The Senate and House have given final approval to legislation that creates new oversight for how the state will handle broadband buildout.
The legislation, H.117, creates a new Division of Telecommunications and Connectivity under the Department of Public Service.
Under the legislation, the E-911 Board would be required to transfer $300,000 from the universal service fund surcharge to the general fund. The money will be used to fund three positions in the division.
The commissioner of the department would determine by Jan. 15 whether the department could raise the gross receipts tax on telecommunications companies to fund the three jobs — instead of the surcharge on Vermonters’ phone bills. If the gross receipts tax isn’t enough to cover the cost, the commissioner would need to come up with a new plan for funding.
