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Bill

HD 902

An Act related to the resiliency, public safety and quality of broadband in Massachusetts

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kip Diggs and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill establishing broadband infrastructure standards, resilience requirements, and emergency coordination to improve access and service reliability statewide.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 902

Legislative bill overview

HD 902 establishes a comprehensive broadband infrastructure and resilience program in Massachusetts, creating standards for broadband deployment, reliability, and public safety coordination. The bill addresses broadband access gaps, requires resilience planning for outages, and integrates broadband considerations into emergency management and public safety operations.

Why is this important

Broadband access directly affects economic opportunity, remote work capability, emergency response effectiveness, and quality of life—particularly in rural and underserved communities. As broadband becomes essential infrastructure comparable to electricity or roads, establishing state-level standards and resilience requirements helps ensure equitable access and service continuity during emergencies.

Potential points of contention

  • Private sector burden vs. public benefit: Regulatory requirements on broadband providers may increase operational costs, potentially passed to consumers or resisted by industry
  • Funding mechanisms: The bill's implementation will require significant state investment; unclear whether funding comes from general revenue, dedicated sources, or cost-sharing with providers
  • Scope and enforcement: Defining what constitutes adequate broadband speed, coverage standards, and resilience obligations may be technically complex and subject to disagreement between stakeholders

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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