The information technology block grant program, the broadband expansion grant program, waiving certain fees and appraisals, and making appropriations. (FE)

The bill also makes changes to the priorities for the PSC to make the grants.

One of the priorities under current law is for projects that affect areas with no broadband service providers. The bill repeals that priority and requires that the PSC give priority to projects in an “unserved area” designated by the PSC, which the bill defines as an area of this state that is not served by an Internet service provider offering Internet service that 1) is wired service or fixed wireless service; and 2) is provided at actual speeds of at least 20 percent of the upload and download speed for high-speed, switched, broadband telecommunications capability as designated by the Federal Communications Commission in its annual inquiries regarding advanced telecommunications capability. Another priority under current law is for projects that promote “economic development,” which is not defined. This bill defines “economic development” as development designed to promote job growth or retention, expand the property tax base, or improve the overall economic vitality of a town, village, city, county, or region. Also, the bill creates a new priority for projects that will not result in delaying the provision of broadband service to neighboring areas. In addition, the bill requires the PSC to consider the following in evaluating grant applications for proposed projects: 1) the degree to which the projects would duplicate existing broadband infrastructure; 2) impacts on the ability of individuals to access health care services from home and the cost of those services; and 3) impacts on the ability of students to access educational opportunities from home.

DNR and DOT fees The bill prohibits DNR from requiring any appraisal or charging any fee prior to granting an easement for the construction of broadband infrastructure in underserved areas. In addition, the bill prohibits DOT from charging any fee for the initial issuance of any permit necessary to construct broadband infrastructure in underserved areas.

TEACH program Under current law, the TEACH program offers telecommunications access to school districts, private schools, cooperative educational service agencies, technical college districts, independent charter school authorizers, juvenile correctional facilities, private and tribal colleges, and public library boards at discounted rates and by subsidizing the cost of installing data lines and video links. As part of the TEACH program, DOA awards information technology block grants to school districts to improve information technology infrastructure. Under current law, the information technology block grant program ends on July 1, 2017.

This bill delays the sunset of the information technology block grant program until July 1, 2019. The bill also changes the eligibility criteria for these grants from a school district that has 13 pupils per square mile to a school district that has 16 pupils per square mile and a membership of 2,500 or less. In addition, the bill authorizes DOA to award an additional round of information technology block grants before July 1, 2017. These grants are in addition to any grants a school district may have already received under the program during the 2015-17 biennium and therefore do not count towards the maximum amount a school district may receive in a biennium. The bill also consolidates the appropriations for TEACH contracts into a single appropriation. Finally, in fiscal year 2016-17, the bill transfers $7,500,000 of moneys received under the federal e-rate program to the consolidated appropriation for TEACH contracts.