Limits on public broadband network ownership discussed at West Virginia statehouse

Should West Virginia place limits on local governments competing with private companies to create broadband networks? The Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary recently received an overview of the concept of state versus local broadband preemption. While broadband issues are typically tackled by the Joint Standing Committee on Technology and Infrastructure, Joint Judiciary Committee Co-Chairman JB Akers (R-Kanawha) said the issue of broadband preemption was a legal matter. The briefing reviewed the legal framework surrounding broadband preemption, specifically the balance of power between state and local governments regarding the ownership and regulation of internet service providers and broadband infrastructure. Garner Marks, general counsel for the West Virginia Department of Commerce, said the Office of Broadband and the Department of Commerce are taking a neutral position regarding broadband preemption, leaving the issues up to lawmakers to determine.