The Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee this week approved the Community Broadband Act of 2007, which forbids states to tell local governments they can't provide community broadband access.

"The bill would reverse laws on the books in Pennsylvania and 13 other states that prevent local governments from providing free or low-cost broadband access to citizens in competition with commercial broadband services," notes InternetNews' Sean Gallagher, who notes that the bill has broad bipartisan support.

"Broadband access should be universal and affordable," says bill sponsor Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.). "Widespread broadband access would promote economic development, enhance public safety and increase educational opportunities for millions of Americans across the country."

More here from CNET News ... more here from WebProNews ... more here from New Telephony ... and the press release is here.