HB 2237 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

     Requires the department's provision of access to telecommunications companies on limited-access highway rights-of-way to be in keeping with the following guidelines:  (1) Telecommunications access to the department's limited access rights-of-way must be provided on a competitively neutral basis;

     (2) access is conditioned upon preserving the safety and operational performance of the limited-access facility, as determined by the department;

     (3) access may not be construed in such a manner as to deem the department a telecommunications company;

     (4) contracts for right-of-way access must be separately negotiated with each company;

     (5) the department shall exact fair and reasonable compensation for use of its limited access rights-of-way.