LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan House on Thursday approved a bill to encourage internet companies to provide broadband access to underserved areas after the coronavirus pandemic shone a light on that need. Equity in internet access and how to fund it has been discussed by policymakers in Michigan in the past. Michigan ranked 19th among the states in 2020 for best internet coverage, prices and speeds by BroadbandNow, but Rep. Michele Hoitenga, who represents Manton in northern rural Michigan, said that is not good enough. The state Senate will next review a House amendment and the bill could then head to Gov. The Senate bill and a similar House bill that aims to create a tax exemption for broadband providers are tie-barred, meaning one cannot become law without the other.