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Rural broadband bill passes Michigan House

The Michigan House of Representatives has passed legislation to improve rural broadband across the state.

Introduced by Representative Beth Griffin of Mattawan, she says the pandemic has only exasperated the need for internet service and the bill will make it easier for the underserved to be virtual.

“This is a huge issue in every corner of the state—pockets like mine of unserved areas that are too far out or just executed for broadband service,” she says.

Griffin’s measure would lower costs for companies by exempting them from personal property taxes on broadband equipment under certain conditions, and only in areas with slow internet speeds. 

The plan now moves to the Senate for further consideration.