MACo offered support for HB 905 in the House Economic Matters Committee, which would allow a local government to purchase street lighting equipment from an electric company either through an agreement with an electric company or through a condemnation proceeding.  The bill would also require an electric company to develop a tariff for street lighting when the equipment is owned by a local government and attached to the utility pole owned by a public service company.

HB 905 seeks a fair and just process for local governments to purchase street lighting equipment.  Some local governments have attempted to negotiate with electric companies for the purchase of such equipment, but none have been able to reach an agreement on the terms of sale or the appropriate price.  MACo believes this bill could serve to stop the stalemates that have occurred thus far when local governments have expressed interest in purchasing street lighting equipment.