Journalist: Destiny Lugo (ORU)
Representative Hunter Haslem from OSU, authored the bill, “Rural Broadband Affordability” Act of 2025 which passed in the House by a landslide. The purpose of the bill was to address the lack of internet access that many Oklahoman’s face in rural and agricultural parts of Oklahoma, where internet service is not always available. With this bill, funding would be allocated more effectively than it has previously been administered. Currently, the inadequate standing status quo can be summed up in two projects; the electricity and state corporations which have worked independently to give WiFi to the people have been lacking- greatly.
However, this bill is revolutionary because it will open up grant process. Companies are truly eager to work with the state to bring the internet to the people of Oklahoma in need, so that everyone in Oklahoma in this twenty-first century have access to the internet and the blessings that come with it. A story of a young student who had to drive a distance of twenty to twenty-one miles a day just to do her homework every day because she didn’t have WiFi in her area, was a key example that clearly demonstrated the imperative necessity of the passing of this bill.
The bill would specifically make broadband internet accessible, having to do with 5G and LTE services, making sure to tackle those “dark zones” where there isn’t much infrastructure set up to provide internet. If the bill were to pass in the Senate, then it would be implemented as early as January 2026, and we would begin to see a rise in internet access across all parts of Oklahoma.
Representative Ian Orr (TU) commented on the bill saying, “I’m really glad it passed, it was well written, it’s an important issue, and she did a good job in her speeches”. Representative Jaylynn Hyatt (SNU) added, “I thought it was a good way to provide for lower income families but I was against the $30 a month minimum to pay for this internet, and for lower income families this extra expense can be egregious. A lot of people in there are good friends of Haslem. Representative Haslem does a lot to provide for agricultural families”.
Nonetheless, unsurprisingly, this bill passed by a landslide with only a few hands lifted in opposition. Oklahoma has many demographic sectors, and it was refreshing to see the delegates of the House come together with the common goal in mind to make the internet more accessible to all citizens of our glorious state. This bill was truly by the people, and for the people of Oklahoma!