Community Broadband Act of 2023

The Community Broadband Act of 2023 prohibits states from banning local governments, cooperatives, or public-private partnerships from providing broadband services. It ensures these community-based providers (like city-run networks or utility cooperatives) can offer internet access without state restrictions, while requiring them to apply rules fairly to competing private providers. Key provisions define "public provider" (e.g., a city or county), "cooperatively organized provider" (tax-exempt co-ops), and "public-private partnership," with anti-discrimination safeguards to prevent favoritism. The bill does not override existing federal or state regulations governing all broadband providers. It directly affects communities seeking to build local broadband infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas.