AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR THE ENHANCEMENT AND EXTENSION OF HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's title and main authorization section focus only on broadband internet, but the Statement of Purpose includes improving cellular telephone service. It is unclear if the bonds can legally be used for cellular projects based solely on this excerpt.

State Bonds for Rural Broadband Access

This bill allows the state to sell bonds to raise money that will be used by a specific department to provide grants for improving high-speed internet in rural communities.

What This Bill Does

• Empowers the State Bond Commission to issue state bonds under section 3-20 of the general statutes.
• Sets a limit on the total amount of bonds, though the specific dollar figure is left blank in this text.
• Requires bond money to go to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
• Allows that department to give grants-in-aid for improving high-speed broadband internet access.

Who It Names or Affects

• The State Bond Commission
• The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
• Rural communities seeking better high-speed broadband internet access

Terms To Know

Bonds

Money the state borrows by selling certificates to investors, which it promises to pay back later.

Grants-in-aid

Financial help given as a grant rather than a loan that must be paid back immediately.

Limits and Unknowns

• The exact dollar amount for the bonds is left blank in this version of the bill.
• The text does not list specific rules on how grants will be chosen or distributed.
• No effective date is provided in the source material.

Official Summary Text

To provide funding to improve access to quality Internet and cellular telephone service in rural communities.

Current Bill Text

LCO No. 109 1 of 1

General Assembly Proposed Bill No. 62
February Session, 2026 LCO No. 109

Referred to Committee on FINANCE, REVENUE AND
BONDING

Introduced by:
SEN. HARDING, 30th Dist.

AN ACT AUTHORIZING BONDS OF THE STATE FOR THE
ENHANCEMENT AND EXTENSION OF HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND
INTERNET ACCESS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

That the State Bond Commission be empowered to authorize the 1
issuance of bonds of the state in accordance with section 3 -20 of the 2
general statutes, in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate 3
___ dollars, the proceeds of which shall be used by the Department of 4
Energy and Environmental Protection, for the purpose of providing 5
grants-in-aid for the enhancement and extension of high -speed 6
broadband Internet access in rural communities. 7
Statement of Purpose:
To provide funding to improve access to quality Internet and cellular
telephone service in rural communities.