OKLAHOMA CITY – The House passed a bill on Wednesday expanding the Rural Broadband Expansion Council.

Senate Bill 802, authored by Rep. Logan Phillips, R-Mounds and Sen. James Leewright R-Bristow, expands the Rural Broadband Expansion Council by two members, from 14 to 16. One additional member would be a Wireless Internet Service Provider appointed by the Speaker of the House. The other additional member would be a leader of a tribe recognized within Oklahoma and appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The measure passed in the House by a vote of 88-0.

“Senate Bill 802 allows the legislature to be more involved in the process,” said Phillips. “Additionally, it will help our stakeholders and tribes have more buy-in. Broadband issues affect our entire state, and it’s going to take all of us to address these issues and modernize for the future. Having two more voices at the table will benefit our state efforts to address broadband expansion.”

“The creation of the Rural Broadband Expansion Council has been an integral part of our efforts to expand access throughout our state by bringing a variety of stakeholders to the table,” Leewright said. “Senate Bill 802 provides even greater inclusion, further strengthening this process.”

SB 802 will now be sent to the Governor for his consideration.