HomeMy WebLinkAboutOpposition Letter - SB 556 (Dodd) - 06.03.2021
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June 3, 2021
The Honorable Bill Dodd
California State Senate, 3rd District
State Capitol, Room 2082
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: SB 556 (Dodd) – Oppose
Dear Senator Dodd,
On behalf of the City of Cupertino, I am writing to express our opposition to Senate Bill
556, related to wireless broadband infrastructure deployment.
SB 556 directly conflicts with the Federal Communications Commissionʹs (FCC) adopted
regulations on wireless services deployment, which cities and counties across the nation are
actively implementing. This measure requires local governments to make space available to
telecommunications providers without recognizing local authority to manage the public right‐of‐
way preserved in federal law. FCC regulations explicitly enable local governments to ensure that
such installations meet appearance and design standards, maintain traffic safety, protect
historical resourcesʹ integrity, and safeguard citizensʹ quality of life. To protect the publicʹs
investment, the control of the public rights‐of‐way must remain local.
SB 556 is an attempt by the telecommunications industry to undermine local authority
while making no meaningful progress towards closing the digital divide in Californiaʹs unserved
and underserved communities. As previously mentioned, cities and counties across the nation
are implementing the FCCʹs orders. If California is to close the digital divide, legislative efforts
should focus on encouraging and incentivizing telecommunications companies to service areas
that for too long have not had access to reliable and affordable internet.
The City of Cupertino shares the desire to further the stateʹs broadband goals, however,
these efforts should not inherently conflict with the appropriate local authority to manage the
MAYOR DARCY PAUL
CITY OF CUPERTINO
CORRESPONDENCE TO SENATOR DODD OPPOSING SB 556 page 2 of 2
right‐of‐way and comply with existing FCC decisions. It is for these reasons that the City opposes
SB 556.
Sincerely,
Darcy Paul
Mayor
City of Cupertino
cc: Senator Dave Cortese
Assemblymember Evan Low
Assemblymember Marc Berman