telecommunication providers; rural areas

Plain English Breakdown

The official source confirms the contract requirement but does not specify funding amounts or a timeline for implementation beyond legislative passage.

SB1499 - Telecommunications in Rural Areas

This law requires the Department of Administration to sign a contract with a telecommunications provider to offer services in rural or underserved parts of Arizona.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the department to negotiate and enter into a contract for telecommunications services.
• Targets areas defined as rural or underserved within the state.
• Defines what counts as a telecommunications service provider under this law.
• Adds section 41-710.04 to Arizona Revised Statutes.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Department of Administration
• Telecommunications service providers including telephone companies, broadband providers, and cell phone carriers
• Residents in rural or underserved areas of Arizona

Terms To Know

Department of Administration (ADOA)

The state agency required to negotiate the contract.

Telecommunications service provider

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

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not state how much money will be used for the contract.
• The text does not specify which rural areas are included in the agreement beyond 'rural or underserved'.
• No effective date is listed in the provided source material.

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