The Senate overwhelmingy approved a bill Monday that would put a hold on local government efforts to offer broadband service to residents.
The bill calls for a committee to study the logistics and necessary rules for allowing governments to get into the Internet business though a private provider. Currently no rules regulate how local governments should handle Internet service. Water, power, telephone and other similar services offered as a utility by local governments are heavily regulated.
Opponents of the moratorium said Monday night that the only way rural areas of the state are going to get high speed Internet service is to allow governments to allow it.
"We need broadband and I don't think we need to put some handicap on getting it to our communities," said Sen. Bill Purcell, a Scotland County Democrat.
Supporters of the bill fought efforts to strip the moratorium, which would last until the end of next year's legislative long session. The idea is to give lawmakers a chance to create a framework for the service.
"It's not irrational, unreasonable or improper as a matter of public policy to say, 'Let's just take a deep breath and get the rules written and get them on the statute books before everybody runs off the cliff," said Sen. Dan Clodfelter, a Charlotte Democrat.
The bill cleared the Senate 41-7 and will now go to the House for consideration.
