Bill on wireless towers near schools deferred for more stakeholder work

Representative Coats presented HB536 as a measured approach to ensure thoughtful placement of freestanding wireless towers near school property using conditional‑use review, setbacks tied to tower height, and co‑location considerations. He emphasized the bill would not ban towers or regulate emissions but would require planning safeguards around schools.

A late, extensive amendment package (2754) reduced the proximity zone from 1,000 to 500 feet, revised setback formulas (including engineering exceptions), clarified co‑location and economically unreasonable exemptions, and added an automatic approval timeline if local governments did not act within 90 days. Industry representatives, including AT&T and other providers and lobbyists, and other members raised concerns about retroactivity, impacts on deployment (hospitals, churches, nursing homes), and ambiguity about whether existing towers would be affected.

The sponsor agreed to defer the bill to allow more stakeholder engagement, including industry discussions, local governments, and authorship to harmonize language. The committee formally deferred HB536.