1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to telecommunications; appropriating money to pay the state-level funding 
1.3 	match for the federal E-rate program for broadband in schools.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. FEDERAL E-RATE PROGRAM MATCHING FUNDS; 
1.6 	APPROPRIATION.
 1.7 	$3,000,000 in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner 
1.8 	of employment and economic development for the Office of Broadband Development to 
1.9 	provide funding for schools that are eligible for federal E-rate reimbursement to pay the 
1.10 	state-level funding match of up to ten percent for E-rate eligible special construction costs 
1.11 	under Code of Federal Regulations, title 47, section 54.505. When awarding the state-level 
1.12 	funding match under this section, the Office of Broadband Development must give priority 
1.13 	to applicant schools that currently lack access to broadband connection at speeds of one 
1.14 	gigabit per second. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28, this appropriation 
1.15 	is available until July 1, 2020.