SENATE BILL 683

Testimony of Chris LaRowe

Manager of External Affairs, WSTA

Before the Senate Energy, Utilities & Information Technology Committee

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Good morning.  Mr. Chairman.  Committee members.  Thank you for the opportunity to be here today.  As was stated, my name is Chris LaRowe – I’m the Manager of External Affairs for the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association (WSTA).  Our membership includes all of Wisconsin’s 83 local telephone companies, 10 wireless providers and 31 Internet service providers.

I am here today in support of SB 683 because we believe it is good public policy.  While we believe the original statute had and probably still has merit, if an exemption isn’t granted to public utilities (as defined in the bill) that often need to do necessary, and even critical work, near their facilities located on these types of properties, it could result in very serious unintended consequences.

Similar to other public utilities, telecommunications companies often need to remove and/or trim trees and brush away from their lines to ensure reliable service.  Safety and reliability could be put at risk and the cost to the consumer could increase if critical infrastructure projects and routine maintenance is delayed because of conflicts with jurisdictions on every parcel of tax-delinquent property.

We respectfully ask that this Committee and the Legislature support SB 683 to exempt tree removal/trimming for these purposes from 26.03 Wis. Stats.

Again, thank you for your time and I’d be happy to answer any questions.

NOTE: The Assembly companion bill is AB 1173