SF0100

Bill Summary Bill No.: SF0100 Effective : I mmediately LSO No.: 18LSO-0483 Enrolled Act No.: SEA No. 0036 Chapter No.: 126 Prime Sponsor: Management Council Catch Title: Economic diversification-broadband services. Subject: "ENDOW" – funding for broadband services in unserved areas. Summary/Major Elements: This bill provides a matching grant program for funding broadband infrastructure in unserved areas of the state. The funds are provided pursuant to agreements which are to be public/private partnerships unless no private entity adequately responds to the RFP issued by the ci ty, town, county, joint powers board or tribal government of the Northern Arapaho or Eastern Shoshone tribes. The bill defines unserved broadband are as as those without access to minimum upload and download speeds (different speeds are set for residential and business corridors). Proposed projects are submitted to the business council (which is to establish procedures and scoring criteria for projects). Funding is capped at $5 million from the program, with a maximum match rate of 50/50. There is a challenge process by which a provider can show it is or has immediate plans to provide the same or faster services as proposed in the project. If the council finds the challenge is credible it cannot fund the project. An advisory committee is established and a broadband coordinator is to be designated by the business council. Ten million dollars is appropriated to a broadband subaccount for funding projects. (The governor or his designee must approve the funding.) Three hundred fifty thousand dollars is appropriated for the advisory council and coordinator functions. Comments: Creates/amends a major program – creates a broadband infrastructure matching grant program. Requires a report; -annual report by June 30 from the business council on applications and progress of projects funded. Creates a Select Committee or Task Force with Legislative Members – provides for two legislative liaisons to the advisory council. Requires a Legislative Appointment – president and senate appoint the liaisons. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill .