HB 687-Relating to Utilities
On Wednesday, March 15th, HB 687, relating to Utilities by Representative Mike La Rosa (R-Saint Cloud) was heard by the House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee and passed by 12 yeas to 2 nays. AIF stood in support of this bill.

This bill creates the Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act which would ultimately allow for 5G technology throughout the state of Florida.

HB 687 will now go to its second committee hearing in the House Commerce Committee.

AIF SUPPORTS legislation that accommodates for the increasing need for reliable wireless networks to help support communities and businesses of the future.

Please see the below statement from our President & CEO, Tom Feeney, regarding HB 687:

AIF: Bring Smart Cities & Ultra-fast Wireless Network Speeds to Florida

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) today released the following statement on behalf of its President & CEO Tom Feeney regarding the support of House Bill 687, by Representative Mike La Rosa, relating to Utilities.  HB 687 was today heard in the House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee, its first committee of reference.

“AIF supports HB 687, which would bring Florida into the next generation of wireless technology to support communities of the future.  By streamlining the process to deploy small cell technology around our state, Florida’s businesses and families can have smart cities and ultra-fast wireless network speeds.

“This good public policy will spur increased investments in the state, attracting innovative and technologically advanced companies to Florida.  Additionally, this legislation secures the bandwidth Florida families need as their data demands continue to rise.

“AIF and our members encourage Florida lawmakers to give Floridians the opportunity to be a part of the smart cities revolution sooner rather than later.”

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