Requirements for broadband expansion grants, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill makes changes to the broadband expansion grant program administered by the Public Service Commission. Under current law, PSC makes grants to eligible applicants for constructing broadband infrastructure in underserved areas. The bill defines “broadband infrastructure,” which is not defined under current law, as infrastructure that provides broadband service at the following speeds, whichever is faster: 1) a minimum download speed of 25 megabits per second and a minimum upload speed of 3 megabits per second or 2) minimum download and upload speeds designated by the Federal Communications Commission under federal law. Under the bill, infrastructure is eligible for a broadband expansion grant only if it satisfies the foregoing definition. The bill requires an applicant for a grant to specify the broadband infrastructure the applicant intends to construct with a grant and also requires a grant recipient to reimburse PSC for the grant if 1) the person fails to complete construction of the infrastructure or 2) the infrastructure that is constructed fails to provide the foregoing minimum download or upload speeds. Any reimbursed amounts are used to make additional grants.

In addition, the bill requires grant recipients to submit reports to PSC on the progress of broadband infrastructure construction, the number of broadband service connections provided by that infrastructure, and the average download and upload speeds for those service connections. Finally, beginning on January 1, 2025, the bill requires the Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct biennial performance audits of the broadband expansion grant program.

Who's behind it

9 lawmakers are its authors⁠. All 9 are Democrats.

6 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From LAB
• Fiscal Estimate From PSC