Idaho Legislature: H0180 - Broadband infrastructure (posted 02/12/25, update 03/28/25)

• Bill: legislature.idaho.gov/s…

• Contact Legislators: Please use Idaho Legislature website to find contact info. Details here: tinyurl.com/2r4uuj32

NOTE: Bill was amended to be less onerous

(Check the linked page or use My Bill Tracker for the bill’s current status.)

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H0180 streamlines and expedites the permitting process for broadband infrastructure deployment by establishing timelines and approval mechanisms for telecommunications and broadband facility applications. The amendment made deadlines more generous and no longer provides for automatic approval if the project requires a special use permit or variance (now allowing public input); however, it still grants automatic approval for sites that do not require a special use permit or variance. It also added highway districts.

Even as amended, H0180 ignores human, plant, and animal health. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) from wireless technology has increasingly been linked to negative health outcomes. Approvals NEVER should be rushed or given automatically.

EMR has been associated with cancer and DNA damage. Also, Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS) affects “up to 30% of the population... Common symptoms include anxiety, hyperactivity, irritability, depression, chest tightness, fatigue, memory loss, headaches, dizziness, sleep issues, noise sensitivity, ringing in the ears, burning eyes, nervous bladder, heart palpitations, muscle tension, joint pain and skin rashes. – Children’s Health Defense”

This bill favors telecommunications corporations that push implementation speed and deregulation without considering health concerns. While requests should be addressed promptly during the permitting process, permits should NEVER be issued without significant input from citizens who might be harmed by broadband implementation near their homes, schools, playgrounds, businesses or other areas. This is especially important for 5G cell towers and small cells. (Fiber optics / hardwired broadband is safer.)

Timelines actually should be longer and permission should automatically DENIED if local governments fail to review and respond to infrastructure permit applications.

Specifics:

• Sets timeframes for cities, counties, and highway districts to review and respond to infrastructure permit applications, from 60 to 150 days depending on type of project, such as small wireless facility deployment or broadband infrastructure installation.

• AMENDMENT still allows for automatic approval in some cases:

  (a) For a siting application that requires a special use permit or a variance the governing board shall, within thirty (30) days, hold a public hearing to approve, approve with modification, or deny the application; and

  (b) For a siting application that complies with the jurisdiction's applicable zoning ordinances and does not require a special use permit or a variance, the application shall be deemed approved.

• Local governments must notify applicants within 21 business days if an application is incomplete.

• Specifies conditions under which automatic approval applies.

• Provides for pole attachments, allowing state utility commission to regulate rates, terms, and conditions when telecommunications, broadband, or cable service providers cannot agree with public utilities.

References:

• EMR & Wireless Legal Actions: tinyurl.com/vdbka6ye

• EMR Frequently Asked Questions: tinyurl.com/yn4kvjt2

• Faster Rollout of Wireless Infrastructure Serves Industry Not U.S. Citizens: tinyurl.com/yfhdceny

• FDA ‘Flagrantly Violating’ Law Requiring It to Protect Public From Wireless Device Radiation: tinyurl.com/yuyyuheh

• More on Children’s Health Defense website: e.g. tinyurl.com/bs5mry6c and