Ottawa state lawmakers address robocalls, broadband in new bills

COLUMBUS - Ottawa County’s state lawmakers are working to address two tech issues in new bills introduced this week.

Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, and Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, both introduced bills in the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, concerning issues related to technology.

Gavarone’s legislation, Senate Bill 54, aims to help stop fraudulent phone calls, which have inundated cellphone users in recent years.

SB 54 would create theft offenses for the conversion of telephone numbers and for providing misleading caller identification, according to a news release from Gavarone.

Stop the manipulation, tricks
“Criminals are constantly using illegal robocalls to manipulate and trick many people out of their precious time and hard-earned money,” Gavarone said.

The bill aims to stop criminals from using or repeating telephone numbers or misleading caller identification information that is not assigned to them with the intent to defraud, cause harm or wrongfully obtain anything of value.

“This legislation is a big step forward in our fight to better safeguard Ohioans from fraud and scams over the phone,” she said.

Gavarone represents Ohio Senate District 2, which includes Ottawa, Wood and Erie counties and parts of Fulton and Lucas counties.

The district is home to a large elderly population, and, according to a report from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, older consumers have been targeted or disproportionately affected by these fraudulent scams. 

HB2 would expand broadband internet access

Swearingen’s co-sponsored legislation, House Bill 2, which had its first hearings in the Ohio House Finance Committee on Tuesday, aims to expand broadband internet access across the state.

HB 2 would create Ohio’s first Residential Broadband Expansion Program and provide grant funding to offset construction costs and facilitate the expansion of high-speed internet and broadband services to unserved households throughout the state, according to Swearingen.

Targeting 'last mile' connectivity

The bill specifically targets the issue of “last mile” connectivity to households, where it is considered cost-prohibitive for private internet providers to otherwise extend service. It also includes industry reforms described as “critical” to driving increased private investment of broadband infrastructure in those unserved areas.

“This legislation is an innovative step in the right direction to allow everyone across Ohio to have efficient broadband access,” Swearingen said. 

He said there are around one million Ohioans without reliable high-speed internet access, a “long-standing” issue HB 2 offers a solution to. 

“It’s time we get this bill over the finish line for Ohioans to benefit from both educational and professional standpoints,” he said.