telecommunication providers; rural areas

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Telecommunication Providers in Rural Areas

This bill requires the Arizona Department of Administration to negotiate contracts with telecommunications service providers to offer services in rural or underserved areas.

What This Bill Does

• Defines a 'telecommunications service provider' as an entity that offers voice, data, or video transmission for payment.
• Includes traditional telephone companies, broadband providers, and cell phone carriers under the definition of telecommunications service providers.
• Requires the Arizona Department of Administration to negotiate contracts with these providers to offer services in rural or underserved areas.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Arizona Department of Administration
• Telecommunication service providers
• Residents living in rural or underserved areas

Terms To Know

Telecommunications service provider

An entity that provides voice, data, or video transmission services for a fee.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify how the contracts will be funded.
• It is unclear what specific areas are considered rural or underserved without additional definitions.

Official Summary Text

SB1499 - telecommunication providers; rural areas

Current Bill Text

SB1499 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
telecommunication providers; rural areas

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SB 1499

Introduced by

Senator
Gowan

AN
ACT

amending title 41, chapter 4, article 1,
arizona revised statutes, by adding section 41-710.04; relating to the
department of administration.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 41, chapter 4, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-710.04, to read:

START_STATUTE
41-710.04.

Telecommunications service provider; rural areas; definition

A. Notwithstanding any other law, the
department shall negotiate and enter into a contract with a telecommunications
service provider to provide telecommunications services in rural or underserved
areas of this state.

B. For the purposes of this section,
"Telecommunications service provider":

1. Means an entity that offers voice,
data or video transmission for a fee.

2. Includes:

(
a
) Traditional
telephone companies.

(
b
) Broadband
providers.

(
c
) Cell phone
carriers.
END_STATUTE