WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 2875

Crime of damage or theft to telecommunications equipment extended to broadband and cable services.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Elkins and 3 co-sponsors

Extends criminal protection to damage or theft of broadband and cable equipment, treating such acts as offenses against critical communications infrastructure.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Public Safety Finance and Policy
#crimesandcriminals #telecommunicationsandinformationtechnology
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 2875

Summary of HF 2875 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Title

Crime of damage or theft to telecommunications equipment extended to broadband and cable services.

Purpose and intent

HF 2875 expands the existing criminal offense for damaging or stealing telecommunications equipment so that the offense also covers damage to, or theft of, equipment used to provide broadband internet and cable television services. The bill aims to enhance protections for critical communications infrastructure and the networks delivering broadband and cable services to the public.

Key provisions and changes

  • Scope expansion: The statute’s coverage extends to damage or theft involving equipment used for:
    • Broadband internet services
    • Cable television services
    • In addition to existing telecommunications equipment already protected under current law
  • Criminalization: Acts of vandalism, tampering, or theft of the specified equipment would be prosecutable crimes under the same framework as other protected telecommunications infrastructure.
  • Impact on offenses: The bill likely aligns penalties, enforcement, and penalties with those for damage to telecommunications equipment, potentially including degrees of offense, sentencing guidelines, and related penalties (exact tiers and sentencing details would be defined in the statutory text).
  • Protection of critical infrastructure: By including broadband and cable assets, the bill seeks to deter attacks or theft that could disrupt essential services, emergency communications, and general consumer access to internet and cable.

Who/what is affected

  • Equipment and infrastructure: Broadband network facilities, fiber/coaxial networks, data centers, physical housing and cabinets, repeaters, and other hardware used to deliver broadband and cable services.
  • Users and providers: Internet service providers (ISPs), cable operators, telecommunications carriers, installers, and any entities responsible for maintaining or operating the relevant infrastructure.
  • Law enforcement and prosecutors: Authorities responsible for enforcing criminal damage/theft statutes would apply these provisions to incidents involving broadband and cable equipment.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and first reading: March 26, 2025.
  • Referral: Public Safety Finance and Policy committee.
  • Sponsors: Primary and co-sponsors include Peggy Scott, Sandra Feist, Steve Elkins, and Jim Nash.
  • Next steps: If advanced, the bill would proceed through committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the Minnesota House. Any differences with the Senate version would be reconciled in a conference committee, with final passage and gubernatorial action required for enactment.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Public safety and reliability: By criminalizing damage to broadband and cable infrastructure, the bill could reduce incidents that disrupt essential communications, including during emergencies.
  • Financial implications: Increased penalties and enforcement could impose compliance costs on providers for security of facilities, though it may also reduce losses from vandalism and theft.
  • Civil and legal considerations: The expansion could raise questions about penalties, definitions of “telecommunications equipment,” and whether certain shared or mixed-use facilities are covered. Clarifying definitions in the statutory text would be important to ensure consistent application.

If you’d like, I can attach a proposed outline of the bill’s potential definitions, penalty structure, and a side-by-side comparison with the current statute to illustrate exact changes.

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

Sign in to ask a question.