Committee introduces 'Dig Once' broadband policy bill for Ada County

Representative John Van der Rauchner (District 22), who chairs the Broadband Advisory Board, asked the committee to introduce RS32051, a "Dig Once" proposal intended to require coordination when roads are dug so multiple broadband conduits can be placed. He said the bill targets countywide highway districts to avoid complications in areas with multiple overlapping districts and includes a restriction on shallow "micro" installations that sit just under the surface.

"The Dig Once policy is that once they're digging up, everybody can put their conduits in and we can get a lot more competition with broadband as it gets installed," Van der Rauchner said, adding the deeper installations are safer and provide more opportunity for competition. Representative Clow asked whether the bill's highway-district language would allow multiple districts—such as in Twin Falls—to dig separately, and Van der Rauchner replied that it is more complicated with multiple districts and the bill focuses first on the single countywide district.

Representative Monks moved to introduce RS32051. With no further discussion, the chair called a voice vote; members responded "aye" and the chair announced the motion carried. The measure will proceed to a hearing where technical drafting and district applicability can be clarified.