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SB 1683

Telecommunications; creating the Local Telecommunications Control and Siting Act of 2026; providing for preservation of local authority to regulate siting and installation of wireless telecommunication towers. Effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Randy Grellner

Oklahoma bill restores local municipal authority to regulate wireless tower siting and installation within their jurisdictions, potentially limiting telecom deployment speed.

Second Reading referred to Technology and Telecommunications
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Bill Summary · SB 1683

Legislative bill overview

SB 1683 establishes the Local Telecommunications Control and Siting Act of 2026, which preserves municipalities' authority to regulate where and how wireless telecommunication towers are sited and installed within their jurisdictions. The bill reasserts local government control over tower placement decisions that may have been preempted or limited by state or federal regulations.

Why is this important

Tower siting decisions affect community aesthetics, property values, public health concerns, and infrastructure planning at the local level. This bill determines whether cities and counties can enforce local zoning requirements and aesthetic standards for wireless infrastructure, or whether such decisions are controlled at state/federal levels. The outcome impacts both telecom companies' ability to expand networks and residents' say in how their communities develop.

Potential points of contention

  • Telecom industry concerns: Wireless providers argue that local control fragments regulations, increases deployment costs, creates delays in network expansion, and may impede 5G infrastructure rollout needed for economic competitiveness
  • Federal preemption questions: The bill may conflict with FCC rules that limit local authority over tower siting under the Telecommunications Act, potentially creating legal challenges
  • Public health debates: Local opposition to towers sometimes stems from unproven health concerns about electromagnetic radiation; the bill could empower communities to block infrastructure based on speculative health claims rather than science

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

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