SB 981 - This act modifies provisions of the grant program to expand broadband internet access in unserved and underserved areas of the state. The act adds a definition for "project" and modifies the definition of "underserved area", which is now defined as a project area without access to wireline or fixed wireless broadband internet service of speeds of the higher of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload or the minimum speed established by the Federal Communications Commission. The definition of "unserved area" is also modified to mean a project area without access to wireline or fixed wireless broadband internet services of speeds of at least 25 Mpbs download and 3 Mbps upload.
Grants awarded under the program shall prioritize projects providing speeds of the higher of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload that is scalable to higher speeds or the minimum acceptable speed established by the Federal Communications Commission.
This act is similar to provisions in the perfected HCS/HB 2638 (2022), to provisions in the truly agreed CCS/HCS/SB 820 (2022), and HB 2675 (2022).
JAMIE ANDREWS