SF 1507

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/21/2019 02:31pm

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. new text begin UNSERVED AREAS BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT PILOT
PROGRAM.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given them.
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new text begin (b) "Broadband" or "broadband service" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes,
section 116J.39, subdivision 1, paragraph (b).
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new text begin (c) "Broadband infrastructure" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section
116J.394, paragraph (c).
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new text begin (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.
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new text begin (e) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of employment and economic development.
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new text begin (f) "Unserved area" has the meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section 116J.394,
paragraph (i).
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin 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.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Eligible expenditures. new text end

new text begin 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.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Eligibility. new text end

new text begin 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.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Application process. new text end

new text begin (a) An eligible applicant must submit a grant application
to the commissioner, on a form prescribed by the commissioner.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner is responsible for (1) receiving and reviewing grant applications,
and (2) awarding grants under this section.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Application contents. new text end

new text begin An applicant for a grant under this section must provide
the following information on the application:
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new text begin (1) the location of the project;
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new text begin (2) the kind and amount of broadband infrastructure or satellite broadband equipment
to be purchased for the project;
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new text begin (3) evidence regarding the unserved nature of the community where the project is located;
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new text begin (4) the number of households receiving access to broadband service as a result of the
project;
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new text begin (5) the total cost of the project; and
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new text begin (6) any additional information requested by the commissioner.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin 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:
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new text begin (1) a list of all grant applications received;
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new text begin (2) the total grant amounts requested; and
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new text begin (3) the total number of households served by the awarded grants.
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Sec. 2. new text begin UNSERVED AREAS BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT PILOT PROGRAM;
APPROPRIATION.
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new text begin $....... 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.
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