SB 1104

This bill establishes a variety of programs and requirements related to

broadband, makes changes to the laws related to public school financing, and creates

a fee remission program for technical colleges and two-year University of Wisconsin

System schools, as described in further detail below.

Funding for broadband expansion grant program; state broadband office

The bill appropriates $1.166 billion in general purpose revenue for the

broadband expansion grant program administered by the Public Service

Commission. The bill also creates an appropriation to fund the operations of the

state broadband office within PSC. Currently, the state broadband office enhances

the availability, adoption, and use of broadband across the state.

Broadband line extension and planning grants

The bill requires PSC to make grants to residents of properties that are not

served by a broadband service provider to assist in paying the customer costs

associated with line extension necessary to connect broadband service to the

properties. The maximum size of a broadband line extension grant is $4,000. The

bill also requires PSC to give priority to primary residences and to establish other

criteria for awarding the grants.

The bill also requires PSC to make grants to cities, villages, towns, counties,

school districts, tribal governments, regional planning commissions, nonprofit

organizations, and local economic development councils for the following: 1)

broadband planning; 2) feasibility engineering related to broadband infrastructure

construction; 3) broadband adoption planning; and 4) digital inclusion activities.

The maximum size of a broadband planning grant is $50,000. The bill also requires

PSC to provide training, technical assistance, and information on broadband

infrastructure construction, broadband adoption, and digital inclusion.

Internet assistance program

The bill requires the Department of Children and Families to establish an

Internet assistance program, under which it makes payments to Internet service

providers on behalf of low-income individuals to assist with paying for Internet

service. The bill requires that other assistance program options be exhausted before

assistance is provided under this program. The bill allows DCF to contract for the

administration of the program. The bill requires DCF to promulgate rules to

implement the program, including a requirement that the family income of a

recipient not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty line. Under the bill, the new

program is funded through an appropriation from the general fund and from

$20,000,000 that the bill requires DCF to allocate from federal moneys, including

moneys received under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block

grant program.

Prohibiting discrimination in broadband and broadband subscriber rights

The bill prohibits a broadband service provider from denying access to a group