HF 2355

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/11/2019 02:53pm

A bill for an act
relating to telecommunications; establishing an unserved areas broadband
development pilot program; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. UNSERVED AREAS BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT PILOT
PROGRAM.

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given them.

(b) "Broadband" or "broadband service" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes,
section 116J.39, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).

(c) "Broadband infrastructure" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section
116J.394, paragraph (c).

(d) "Satellite broadband equipment" means a satellite dish or modem installed at a
broadband user's location to receive broadband service from a satellite broadband provider.

(e) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.

(f) "Unserved area" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.394,
paragraph (i).

Subd. 2.

Establishment.

A pilot program is established under the Department of
Employment and Economic Development to award grants to eligible applicants to promote
access to broadband service in unserved areas of Minnesota.

Subd. 3.

Eligible expenditures.

Grants under this section may be awarded to cover costs
related to supporting broadband service, including premise equipment. Grant awards under
this section are limited to $300 per household.

Subd. 4.

Eligibility.

To be eligible for grant awards, applicants must provide broadband
service that supports speeds of at least 25 megabits per second download and three megabits
per second upload.

Subd. 5.

Application process.

(a) An eligible applicant must submit a grant application
to the commissioner, on a form prescribed by the commissioner.

(b) The commissioner is responsible for (1) receiving and reviewing grant applications,
and (2) awarding grants under this section.

Subd. 6.

Application contents.

An applicant for a grant under this section must provide
the following information on the application:

(1) the location of the project;

(2) the kind and amount of broadband infrastructure or satellite broadband equipment
to be purchased for the project;

(3) evidence regarding the unserved nature of the community where the project is located;

(4) the number of households receiving access to broadband service as a result of the
project;

(5) the total cost of the project; and

(6) any additional information requested by the commissioner.

Subd. 7.

Report.

By February 15, 2020, the Office of Broadband Development must
report on the pilot program to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and
house of representatives committees with jurisdiction over broadband development. The
report must include:

(1) a list of all grant applications received;

(2) the total grant amounts requested; and

(3) the total number of households served by the awarded grants.

Sec. 2. UNSERVED AREAS BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT PILOT PROGRAM;
APPROPRIATION.

$....... in fiscal year 2020 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
employment and economic development for deposit in the border-to-border broadband fund
account under Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.396, to award grants for broadband
development in unserved areas as provided under section 1.