HF 1885

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/04/2021 02:43pm

A bill for an act
relating to telecommunications; transferring money for the broadband grant
program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin BROADBAND GRANT PROGRAM; TRANSFER.
new text end

new text begin (a) $60,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $60,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 are transferred
from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for
deposit in the border-to-border broadband fund account established in Minnesota Statutes,
section 116J.396, subdivision 1, for the purposes specified in Minnesota Statutes, section
116J.396, subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (b) $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $15,000,000 in fiscal year 2023 are transferred
from the general fund to the commissioner of employment and economic development for
deposit in the border-to-border broadband fund account established in Minnesota Statutes,
section 116J.396, subdivision 1. This transfer must be used only to provide broadband
service in unserved areas, except that money from the transfer may be used to place
broadband infrastructure, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.394, in underserved
areas. Notwithstanding the limitation in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.395, subdivision
7, paragraph (a), the grants are available for 55 percent of total project cost if the grant is
matched by ten percent or more from a nonstate entity. The nonstate entity providing the
match may include but is not limited to organized townships, cities, counties, foundations,
nonprofits, school districts, or higher education institutions.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end