Broadband Deployment Board Grant Processes

Joint Technology Committee. In 2021, the general assembly authorized the broadband deployment board (board) to award money that the state received under the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (act) for broadband deployment projects. The bill updates the requirements for awarding grant money pursuant to the act to require that applications comply with finalized federal regulations regarding use of money under the act. The bill also:

• Reduces the notice and comment period for an interested party to review and comment on a grant application from at least 60 days to 30 45 days;
• Exempts a grantee from the requirement to complete an approved project in 2 years or less if the grantee demonstrates to the board that the project is delayed due to a relevant disruption in the supply chain;
• Requires the board to apply the updated requirements to previously denied applications that sought grant awards under the act; and
• Establishes a process and remedies for appeals of a board decision regarding a grant application.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)