HomeMy WebLinkAboutHouse Bill 404Honorable Representatives:
We urge you to “vote no” on House BILL 404 for the following reasons:
Idaho court rulings have held that utility providers are “permissive users” of rights-of-way and do not have any property interest in rights-of-way. Currently urban renewal agencies
are able to negotiate with service providers for voluntary payment of relocation costs, which allows agencies to participate to the extent that funding and other circumstances allow.
The issue of utility relocation has been known and discussed for some time, but neither the issue nor the proposed legislation were presented to the Urban Renewal Interim Committee,
which met over the past several months to consider changes to Idaho’s urban renewal laws. This legislation represents an unfortunate end run around the Interim Committee process.
House Bill 404 would single out urban renewal agencies and require them to pay for utility relocation using public funds when no other public agency is required to do so. This is bad
public policy.
Relocation of utility facilities represents an opportunity for telecommunications service providers to upgrade their equipment. Many urban renewal projects attract new businesses to
communities, helping to increase the customer base for these utilities. While there are costs associated with these projects, there are also benefits from the service provider’s perspective.
Thank you for your consideration,
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Blair D. Kay
Rexburg City Clerk (CMC, CRO)
ICCTFOA 2nd Vice President
208-372-2313 – Office
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