Compromise clears cell tower bill

Telecoms and city and county governments have reached a compromise to a bill that would ensure proposed cell towers get a prompt review.

The compromise appears to have cleared House Bill 176 for passage this legislative session. The House Energy, Utilities & Telecommunication Committee approved the bill early Thursday. The next step would be the House floor, which could come next week.

HB 176, which local governments successfully blocked last year, limits cities and counties to charging no more than $500 for review of an application for a new cell tower and limits rental and lease fees.

It also creates a 150-day “shot clock” for a local government to review an application. If no action is taken during that period, the application will be considered automatically approved.

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Aaron Gould Sheinin

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