United States Statewide Bills that Preempt Local Authority For Wireless Facilities
Allowing Wireless Small Cells/DAS/Nodes Microwave Antennas on Rights Of Way Streetlights and Power Poles in Neighborhoods
June 2018 update: Twenty state legislatures—Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida,Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia—have enacted small cell legislation that streamlines regulations to facilitate the deployment of 5G small cells.
Scientific Information on Health Risks of Small Cell 5G Infrastructure
- US Factsheet on 5G and Small Cells in Color With Hyperlinks , US Factsheet on 5G and Small Cells in Black and White For Printin
- Click Here To Download A PDF Of Over 60 Pages Of Letters On 5G By Scientists And Organizations Such As The Sierra Club, The AARP And Environmental Working Group.
- Read a compilation of Doctors letters on cell towers near schools.
- See a powerpoint presentation on cell towers and health.
CBS covered this issue in national news in June 2018. See below.
5G requires millions of mini cell towers to be built nationwide. From coast to coast, states are moving forward with Bills to preempt local authority and allow companies to place wireless antennae in neighborhoods in front of homes with zero to minimal community input. In some states, fierce community opposition has lead to blocking these streamlining Bills. In other states, these Bills have passed. Please see this running list of states and their Bills with useful links to news stories and videos about the new legislation.
A Rapidly Changing Landscape
It appears the following states have already passed 5G bills:
Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia
These are in process: Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois (currently on the Governor’s desk), Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada
Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Washington. More to come. If you have updates please send text linked and ready to go and we will verify and add it in.
Read an Issue Brief by the Utilities Technology Council “State Legislation on Wireless Small Cells” January 2017 This document summarizes these bills.
Note: This page has not been fully updated since late Fall 2017. For a current review of state legislation, please go to the National Conference of State Legislatures page “MOBILE 5G AND SMALL CELL LEGISLATION”
Please contact us with information we are missing and/or new states to include.
EHT will try to regularly update this list. If you see information that needs to be added or corrected please contact us at info@ehtrust.org.
States with Bills to Support Local Control and Halt Preemption
Connecticut
Joint Favorable Report on SB 536 (Includes summary of testimony)
The bill proposes to require the council to establish a statewide plan for siting small cells and DAS in the public rights of way. In addition, it would require that any process established include the participation of the municipality where this equipment will be sited. Technology is changing drastically, and there is a need for the added capacity antenna systems provide. There is currently no statutory framework in place that keeps up with changing technology, and wireless companies are able to install antenna systems without the meaningful input from towns where these antenna systems are located. This bill proposes a moratorium on all jurisdictional matters relating to small cells and DAS until the plan and process are approved by the legislature.
Verizon wireless and Industry trade groups were opposed to this bill.
Sen. Slossberg Announces Passage of Senate Bill 536 “Slossberg’s bill would establish a state-wide plan and process for siting these small cell canister antennas, similar to the process that currently exists for cell phone towers. Critical to this process would be participation by the municipality where an antenna may be placed, along with members of the community. This process would give community members and elected officials a voice in the siting of these small canister antennas.”
New York
New York Senate Bill 6687 2017 Bill Directs the public service commission to prohibit the attachment of wireless equipment or any other like attachments to existing utility poles in certain circumstances.
Draft Ordinance for Oyster Bay on Wireless Facilities which would be among the most stringent if passed.
“The Town of Oyster Bay finds that wireless telecommunications facilities may pose significant concerns to its residents, and the character and environment of its neighborhoods..The process will establish a fair and efficient process for review and approval of applications; assure an integrated, comprehensive review of environmental impacts; and protect the rights of the Town and its residents, to the maximum extent allowed under the law.”
“…no person shall be permitted to site, place, build, construct, modify or prepare any site for the placement or use of wireless telecommunications facilities without having first obtained a building-permit from the Department of Planning and Development and any and all other approvals as required herein or under other applicable law. A new wireless facility must, in addition to a building permit, obtain a special use permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.”
Woodbury, LI Residents Furious Over Cell Repeaters … – CBS New York
New York citizens and organizations also worked to halt the 5G rollout that was proposed via a Budget Bill. See the website Telecompowergrab.com to learn more.
Maryland
In Maryland there are Bills moving forward that both remove local control and attempt to provide more local control.
2018: Maryland residents worked hard to oppose a state streamlining bill and formed a statewide coalition. Citizens started the Maryland Coalition to Halt Cell Towers at Schools which was featured in a Washington DC Metro WJLA Investigative News Report on April 6, 2018. After questions were posed to the legislators that put the bill forward, the Maryland State bills were then halted.
Maryland has received major news coverage as citizens move to raise health risks related to cell towers, wireless and cell phones to their elected officials at every level of government
County Action in Maryland
Several Districts, communities and elected officials have organized to halt preemption. Montgomery County is redoing zong and Cities in Prince George’s County have joined to prepare and plan a way to maintain local control. A 2016 Bill to streamline small cells resulted in community outrage.
2017 Update: Montgomery County and Prince George’s County have drafted new zoning that would remove public notoce and public hearings for cell antennas in neighborhoods in front yards on rights of ways.
Prince George’s County
Draft Zoning on Wireless Antennas that removes public hearings and public notice.
This video is testimony given in a Prince George’s County Greenbelt City Council meeting before the draft zoning was introduced but shows that the local towns want to stop small cells from being placed on their front yards.
Montgomery County
In Montgomery County citizens have worked to oppose zoning that was drafted to remove public notice and public hearings from companies placing antennas in their frontyards on street lights and utility poles.
- Fox 5: “Montgomery County residents fighting rezoning to allow new 5G cell towers” 2018
- WTOP News Story “Montgomery Co. residents: 5G wireless cell antennas pose health risks”2018
- Bethesda Beat Journal: “County Residents Express Concern About Adding Antennas To Deliver 5G, Council to consider bill allowing more small cell towers in downtown areas”2018
Montgomery County Executive Memo on meeting with the FCC and Maryland State elected officials to discuss small cell issues and FCC radiofrequency limits and the need for local authority
County Council Moves to Ease Restrictions for Small Antennas to Boost Wireless Coverage, 2016.
Video of Montgomery County community meeting on wireless facility siting:
Montgomery County public meeting on cell towers on October 26,2016 Full Video
Montgomery County Council Webpage on Small Cells
NBC News Report: Hundreds in Montgomery County Do Not Want Small Cell Towers Near Homes:
Md. community opposes plans to put cell nodes in front lawns, WTOP News
Ohio
SB 331 streamlining Bill that passed was heavily opposed and later was ruled unconstitutiona after lawsuits by over 70 citiesl. See News Stories:
Judge tosses out state minimum wage law and micro-wireless law cities opposed,
Cities say state law weakens home rule,
City joins litigation against state law, March 29, 2017
Delaware enters fight against ‘flawed’ SB 331, ThisWeek, March 30, 2017
Local SB 331 lawsuit moving forward,
Over 70 communities have filed suit over Ohio siting bill enforcement, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson addresses lawsuit against wireless equipment bill
States with Bills to Preempt Local Control
Note: This page has not been fully updated since late Fall 2017. For a current review of state legislation, please go to the National Conference of State Legislatures page “MOBILE 5G AND SMALL CELL LEGISLATION”
Michigan
May 2018: Legislation is being fast racked to remove local control. In response citizens, scientists and legislators are speaking up on the health risks.
Michigan Senator Testifies On Health Risks Of 5G Small Cells And The Internet Of Things.
Michigan Senator Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton of Michigan USA testifies on 5G Small Cells and the Internet of things urging lawmakers to vote no on 5G small cell streamlining bills. In this testimony the Senator shared information from the Bioinitiative Report, microwave sickness, the health risks of 5G, the concerns about millimeter waves, concerns about Wi-Fi in schools, the problems with FCC limits and much more.
Watch testimony from Michigan citizens on 5 G here.
California
October 2017 Update: SB649 was vetoed by Governor Brown. See all the details on our dedicated SB649 page.
Read California Governor Brown’s VETO Letter.
Click Here To Download A PDF Of Over 60 Pages Of Letters On 5G By Scientists And Organizations Such As The Sierra Club, The AARP And Environmental Working Group Opposed to SB649 .
Heavy Opposition to SB 649 to preempt local authority in small cell wireless facility siting:
Nearly 150 cities, and the League of California Cities®, remain opposed to SB 649 (as amended June 20).
SB 649: Wireless telecommunications facilities
Letter from Environmental Working Group July 26, 2017
Letter from the Marin California Council of Mayors and Council Members Opposing SB 649
Law Office of Harry Lehmann“Mass casualties are likely in District 10 from passage of 648, July 6, 2017
Letter from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), July 19, 2017 “This bill undermines the authority of local government..”
Letter From EMF Safety Network and Ecological Options Network
Radiation Research Trust Letter of Opposition
Dr. Devra Davis Letter on Microwave Radiation Health Effects SB 649
Letter from Environmental Working Group
‘Health Exemption for Firefighters sends a Message to the World’ by Susan Foster
Examples of letters from California Cities
City of Azusa Letter of Opposition
City of Humboldt Letter of Opposition
City of San Bernardino Letter of Opposition
City of Palos Verdes Estates Letter of Opposition
California Contract Cities Association Letter of Opposition
The City of Long Beach Letter of Opposition
Westside Regional Alliance of Councils Letter of Opposition
FACTSHEETS
Factsheet OPPOSE SB 649 Let’s Get Healthy California or Increase Harmful Radiation?
Two page Factsheet Colorful on SB649
Dinosaur Factsheet EMF Safety Network
The Editorial Boards of Four Major California newspapers Oppose SB 649
“A brazen cell phone power grab” Editorial Board, San Francisco Chronicle
“An audacious 5G power (pole) grab” Editorial Board, Los Angeles Times
“California should butt out of cities’ deals with telecom companies” East Bay Times July 17, 2017
See playlist of videos of Senate Assembly testimony/discussion/vote on SB 649
Fox 5 La Jolla residents battle Crown Castle cell phone tower in yards.
The Union: Nevada City opposes state effort to control cell phone infrastructure, May 3, 2017
San Francisco Gate: Antenna permitting bill sparks clash between state, local officials
CBS News Story “Cell Phone Towers Outside Your Window – Why You Don’t Have The Right To Fight”
Cities fight bill to streamline cell antenna installations, July 5 2017, Mercury News
For more from California SB 649 please go to EHT’s dedicated webpage.
City by City, small cells (antennas in neighborhoods) are being proposed and cities are mounting a strong opposition. See a video of public testimony here.
Pennsylvania
Bucolic Lancaster Shuns Tower Development, Inside Towers, January 16, 2017
“Lancaster Pennsylvania passed a cell tower ordinance in September. It prohibits wireless transmission equipment on any property deemed historically significant, gives the city control over “time place and manner” of construction and repair work and requires equipment to “blend with the existing surroundings … to the greatest extent possible.”
Philly, suburbs brace for ‘attack of the small cells’ towers – Philly.com June 2, 2017
“About 60 Pennsylvania cities and towns — among them Philadelphia and many of its suburbs — opposed the utility designation in comments to the commission, saying the status granted those firms overly broad powers with little regulatory oversight.”
“The state should not strip municipalities of their power to regulate cellphone towers”
The Lancaster Online Editorial Board, Jan 13, 2017
Indiana
Senate Bill 213 bars cities and counties from denying permits to companies building cell towers less than 50 feet high on public right-of-ways, as well as installing antennas on utility poles and traffic lights. Several cities including West Lafayette, Crawfordsville and Lafayette are among those in Indiana which have begun legislating to head off the effects of a bill giving sweeping new rights to cell phone companies. Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton, speaking on WBAA’s “Ask The Mayor,” calls the bill “atrocious.”
State, Local Officials Square Off on Indiana Cell Tower Bill, May 2, 2017
Communities Scramble To Head Off ‘Atrocious’ Cell Tower Bill, Indiana Public Radio, April 29, 2017
Local officials scramble to regain zoning authority on cell towers, Kokomo Tribute
State vs. local control of cell tower placement, NWI Times, April 29, 2017
Local governments push back against state cell tower bill, April 29, 2017, The Lebanon Reporter
Pendleton, Ingalls call meetings to preempt potential legislation, Herald Bulletin April 2017
Senate Bill 213 could lead to unhappy homeowners Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Op-ed Mar 29, 2017
City fights law on cell structure locations, Saturday, April 29, 2017 , Indiana Journal Gazette “Fort Wayne joined cities and councils throughout Indiana in pushing back against a law that would limit municipalities’ ability to regulate the location of cellular equipment in the public right of way.”
Texas
Senate Bill 1004: Takes away the ability of cities to control how public rights-of-way are used. • Mandates the use of street signs, traffic structures, and street lights for antennas for cell phone companies. • Subsidizes the cell phone industry with below market rental rates and capped application fees
“It’s an issue of private companies using taxpayer property for their own gain,” Bennet Sandlin, executive director of the Texas Municipal League, told The Dallas Morning News. “This bill is completely off the charts in terms of fairness.”
The Cities of Austin and Brownsville have sued.
Inside Towers Texas Small Cell Bill Spurs Concern Over State Revenue Shortfall Due to Price Cap
Lubbock wanted more supervision as 5G technology makes its way to Texas, May 19, 2017
Company erects tower, then asks county’s OK, April 15, 2017
Texas cities fear loss of millions as 5G becomes reality | KXAN.com, Video of News Report
City of Austin sues Texas over massive new telecom bill, August 24, 2017
North Carolina
Disconnect HB 310 to prevent health risks, The News and Observer OpEd BY LAURA COMBS
Small cell tower compromise moves ahead, WRAL May 18, 2017
Industry-backed cellphone tower bill advances despite consumer concerns By Joe Killian, 5/24/201
5G wireless could help NC make leap from smartphones to smart cities, May 16, 2017
North Carolina League of Municipalities opposes HB 310
North Carolina League of Municipalities Comments to the Federal Communications Commission
North Carolina League of Municipalities small cell wireless forum
Minnesota
Opposition to Small Cell Streamlining Bill resulted in several changes
The measure was passed as a stand-alone bill (HF 739) on the House floor on May 20. The following day, it was included in the omnibus jobs bill, SF 1456, which will now go to Gov. Dayton for approval. View the final omnibus jobs bill (pdf) The League of Minnesota Cities had issues with the permitting process, the space between the cells and whether municipalities had the ability to reject permits. The organization ended up making 34 changes to the bill before it became neutral to its passage.
Small Cell Bill Refuses to Die in Minnesota Legislature,
Bill Would Severely Limit Local Authority to Manage Small Cell Technology in Public Right of Way,
Negotiated Small Cell Wireless Language Heads to Governor, May 22, 2017
Listen to the May 21 Senate Local Government Committee hearing
Illinois
SB 1451, known as the Small Cell Facilities Deployment Act, would limit municipal authority to regulate, site or charge permit fees for small wireless facilities.
Chicago Tribune June 1, 2017: Aurora opposes bill on siting of wireless facilities
Connelly 5G Technology Bill Flies Out of the Senate
Nevada
Review Journal: Heller move would speed broadband access to rural Nevada
Rhode Island
2017 — S 0342: Small Cell Siting Act: Following the House’s passage of the bill, the legislation was referred to the R.I. Senate, where Sen. Louis P. DiPalma, D-Middletown, has sponsored companion bill S0342.
House Oks Ucci bill to pave the way to bring 5G to RI –
Oregon
No Bills at this time but this is a report of the Advisory Council.
Broadband in Oregon A Report of the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council
Kansas
Bill Streamlines Wireless Zoning in Kansas, March 31, 2016
Kansas Mayor Says Law Could Allow Cell Towers In Front Yards | KCUR
South Dakota
No State Bills at this time. The article below describes how “ South Dakota’s senior U.S. senator is the chair of the powerful Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, with oversight of the national telecommunications laws and regulations. In March, Thune introduced the Mobile NOW Act, a bill to open up spectrum to telecommunications companies and smooth the path for 5G technology, and moved it through his committee to the Senate floor.”
US News.com South Dakota Working to Be Among First to Get 5G Technology
Hawaii
House Bill 625 HD3 – Small Wireless Facility Deployment
Delaware
House Bill 189 “Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Investment Act” passed June 2017
AT&T applauds Delaware Legislature for passing HB 189 – ATT.com
Delaware becomes latest state to streamline rules for small cell deployments, Fierce Wireless September 1, 2017
Arizona
HB 2365: HB 2365 was signed by Gov. Doug Ducey on March 31 allowing wireless carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint to install, operate and maintain small-cell equipment in city and town rights-of-way, according to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns.
Town Officials Weigh Changes to Zoning As Rights-of-Way Bill Set to Take Effect
Paradise Valley to establish new design standards on the heels of HB 2365
New state law compounds Paradise Valley cell phone solution set
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey wrote a letter published saying that his signature on House Bill 2365 makes his state the first to “streamline” the deployment of 5G wireless communication.
Ducey: Arizona the first state to “pave the way” for 5G cell service, April 6 2017, KTAR.COM
Virginia
The telecommunications industry won passage of legislation, SB 1282 (McDougle), in 2017 that speeds deployment of wireless infrastructure in Virginia including small cells and micro-wireless facilities, imposing limits on local zoning authority.
News Update March 13, 2018: All the bills passed the General Assembly — some in a close vote. The bills go to Governor Ralph Northam for his consideration. Virginia Municipal League eNews, March 9, 2018, Ask for Veto of Wireless Bills
Bill Would ‘Gut’ Local Control Over Cell Towers, Cities, Counties Say, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Feb. 27, 2018
UPDATE: New bills pushed forward in the 2018 session of the Virginia General Assembly would further erode local control, and concern structures up to 50 feet above ground level and co-locations on structures that are not small cell facilities. The primary 2018 bills are HB 1258 (Kilgore) and SB 405 (McDougle).
Del. Kilgore and Sen. McDougle also introduced related bills, HB 1427 and SB 823 , that would cap fees that may be charged to wireless companies for usage of public owned rights-of-way.
A 2018 session bill, HB 1131 (Gooditis), to repeal articles of the Code of Virginia that were set by the SB 1282 wireless infrastructure bill in 2017, was recommended to be stricken from the docket by a House subcommittee.
Scenic Virginia, Your Help Needed: Call Your Representatives to Oppose HB 1258 and SB 405
Virginia Association of Counties, Capitol Contact Alert, Feb. 2, 2018: House Panel Guts Local Control Over Zoning
“…allows wireless companies to place cell towers up to 50 feet tall within rights-of-way without local control. Additionally, for towers of greater height, the bill hamstrings localities’ ability to obtain information and address citizen concerns through the public hearing process.”
Virginia Association of Counties, Capitol Contact Alert, Feb. 1, 2018, Oppose Bad Wireless Bill Now
Virginia Municipal League, eNews Action Alert, Feb. 8, 2018: HB1258 Strips Local Control Over the Installation and Operation of Wireless Infrastructure
Virginia Municipal League, eNews, Feb. 2, 2018, Act Now: Wireless Infrastructure Will Be on the House Floor…
Excerpt from a 2018 City of Newport News resolution: “…the wireless equipment installations can have significant impacts on the health, safety, welfare and aesthetics of localities but those companies have little, if any, interest in taking into account those concerns that potentially conflict with their profit margins.”
A Cell Tower Next Door? New Bill Would Take Away Local Control, Martinsville Bulletin, Jan. 31, 2018
Control Over Cell Towers: Whose Call? Daily Press, Jan. 25, 2018
Virginia Wireless Communications Infrastructure Work Group The General Assembly convened this work group after the 2017 legislative session ended.
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States Try to Speed Up Deployment of 5G Wireless Networks, Axios, June 8, 2017
A county legislative report 2017 General Assembly session on SB 1282, March 7, 2017
Bill Would Restrict Local Control Over Some Wireless Equipment, Charlottesville Tomorrow, Jan. 27, 2017
Virginia Association of Counties Capitol Contact Alert opposing SB 1282, Jan. 25, 2017
Iowa
Senate File 431 AN ACT RELATING TO THE SITING OF SMALL WIRELESS FACILITIES signed by Governor on 5/8/2017
Regulations for ‘small cell’ technology may bring ‘5G’ to Iowa, April 29, 2017
Florida
CS/SB 596 (Hutson) and HB 687 (La Rosa) preempt local government control of city-owned rights-of-way for installation of wireless antennas and equipment. Among their various other provisions, the bills bar local governments from prohibiting or regulating the installation of wireless facilities on or next to existing cellular phone towers and utility poles within municipally owned rights of-way.
CS/CS/HB 687: Utilities Signed into law by governor.
FactSheet by Florida League of Cities AGAINST 687 “CS/HB 687 currently imposes a ridiculous price cap of $15 for these assets, lower than anywhere else in the country”
Bill would pre-empt local govt’s, give giant telecom firms more control, Palm Beach Post
Colorado
HB17-1193: Small Cell Facilities Permitting And Installation Clarifies that expedited permitting process established for broadband facilities applies to small cell facilities and small cell networks. Clarifes that rights-of-way access afforded to telecommunications providers for construction, maintenance, and operation of telecommunications and broadband facilities extends to broadband providers, small cell facilities, and small cell networks. Provides that telecommunications provider has right to locate or collocate small cell facilities and small cell networks on local government entity’s light poles, light standards, traf c signals, or utility poles in rights- of-way owned by local government, subject applicable law. Effective: July 1, 2017.
Washington
SB 5711 – 2017-18 Concerning telecommunications services.
Companion Bill: HB 1921
State Legislature plans for the world of 5G, June 14, 2017
Small cell telecommunications bill fails to move out of the Senate, March 10, 2017
The Future of 5G In Washington State, March 9, 2017
Q&A about 5G bill – Doug Ericksen
Feb 8, 2017 Video Energy, Environment & Telecommunications at 08:00 AM
Wireless Carriers Lobby For Access To ‘Street Furniture’ In Washington, NW News Network
Georgia
The Mobile Broadband Infrastructure Leads to Development Act, HB 176 Passed in 2014 HB 176 would limit cities and counties to charging no more than $500 for review of an application for a new cell tower and limit rental and lease fees.
Ga. Representative Won’t Give Up as Cell Tower Bill Stalls in Committee
Georgia Lawmakers Take On Small Cell Wireless Technology March 2018
Missouri
In 2017 a streamlining Bill FAILED HB 656 – Small Cell Deployment Act
The Missouri Municipal League was opposed to the 2017 HB 656 – Small Cell Deployment Act that would add small wireless facilities to the “Uniform Wireless Communication Infrastructure Deployment Act “passed into law in 2013 and grant wireless companies the right to use the public right of way to deploy wireless antennas. These bills limit a municipality’s ability to control the placement of antennas and “adjacent” equipment.
Read the CTIA Letter in Support of HB 656
In 2013 House Bill 331 passed.
HB 331 proposes to prohibit municipalities from evaluating a cell site applicant’s business decisions with respect to the design of its service, customer demand for service, or quality of its service in a certain area. A municipality would also not be allowed to evaluate a cell tower application based on the availability of other potential locations for wireless site placement. Additionally, the type of wireless infrastructure, such as DAS, could not be dictated by the local authority.
The Municipal League and the Missouri Association of Counties opposed the passing of this bill.
Missouri Cell Tower Law Lands on Governor’s Desk AGL Press Release
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon Signs Wireless Siting Degreg Bill (HB 331) into Law in 2013
Nebraska
LB 389, the Small Wireless Facilities Act, would cap application and permit fees at $250 and eliminate other lease, fee or tax payments, However, local governments would keep control over permitting.
Opposition includes the Nebraska Rural Electric Association and the League of Nebraska Municipalities.
Nebraska bill would end cities’ big haul for small cells, March 31, 2017
Wisconsin
2013 Mobile Tower Siting Regulations
As part of 2013 Act 20, the “Budget Bill”, this law preempts local regulation of cell phone towers. Although the new law allows local regulation under a number of circumstances, it also limits local regulation in some critical areas such as height limits, setbacks, and location of towers.
2013 Mobile Tower Siting Regulations
News Reports
“Cell tower siting eased by Wisconsin regulation changes” Journal Sentinel July 16, 2013
AB 130: In response to the 2013 Regulations legislators presented AB130 in 2017.
AB 130 authorizes a political subdivision to restrict the placement of certain mobile cell towers.
Bill would give local governments more control on cell tower siting 1/6/2017
AB 348, regulating the location of mobile cell tower sites. The bill initially created a loophole for small cell towers to be erected without setbacks.
Two press releases are indicative of the response to this bill. First a representative was in opposition to this bill. Read the June 6, 2017 “Press Release: Rep. Allen critical of cell tower bill; No setback requirement on “small wireless” towers up to 50 feet” Then, when setbacks were added, he supported the bill. See his June 21, 2017 Press Release “Rep. Allen supports amended cell tower bill Setbacks could be required on cell towers, small wireless facilities under current version”.
News Story: Board denies proposed Greendale cell tower
Massachusetts
Fierce Opposition to Wi-Fi Poles Along Commuter Rail.
MBTA signed a contract that would allow InMotion Wireless to place wireless radiation-emitting monopoles along the commuter rail route. Citizens and municipal leaders across the Commonwealth have voiced strong opposition to the MBTA Plan in news reports:
I-Team: Wi-Fi Poles Proposed Along MBTA Commuter Rail Tracks Anger Communities 2017/06/09/
CBS Boston Local Report on Opposition at Manchester-by-the-Sea 2017/06/26
The Town of Andover has a web page “Proposed MBTA Monopoles in Andover”
Massachusetts has seven bills dealing with wireless radiation.
