HF2279 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Office of Broadband Development renamed to Office of Broadband Development and Digital Equity, duties and reporting requirements modified, state's broadband goals expanded, multifamily dwelling grant program established, and definitions amended.
Related bill: SF2889
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of this bill is to enhance broadband accessibility and promote digital equity in Minnesota. It aims to rename and redefine the responsibilities of the Office of Broadband Development to include digital equity, expand statewide broadband goals, and establish a new grant program for multifamily dwellings.
Main Provisions
- Renaming and Expanding Responsibilities: The Office of Broadband Development is renamed to the Office of Broadband Development and Digital Equity, reflecting its new focus on digital inclusion activities.
- Broadband Goals and Planning: The state sets new broadband access goals and the office is tasked with coordinating broadband and digital equity planning to improve access and adoption across Minnesota.
- Grant Program for Multifamily Dwellings: A new grant program is established to support broadband infrastructure and services in multifamily residential properties and manufactured home parks.
- Reporting and Data Collection: The office is required to report annually on broadband activities, collect data on broadband deployment, and create maps showing broadband coverage across the state.
- Prioritization of Underserved Areas: Emphasis is placed on improving broadband access in underserved and unserved areas, promoting broadband adoption, and facilitating telehealth and economic development.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill broadens the definition of the scope and duties of the Office of Broadband Development to include digital equity, promoting inclusive access to technology across all communities, especially for those historically underserved.
- It adds an annual reporting requirement for digital inclusion activities and modifies grant awarding criteria to prioritize underserved areas and multifamily dwellings.
- New state goals are set for broadband adoption, aiming for increased household subscriptions, access to discounts, and access to personal computers by 2028.
Relevant Terms
broadband, digital equity, Office of Broadband Development, multifamily broadband grant program, underserved areas, unserved areas, broadband access, digital inclusion, broadband adoption, telehealth, economic development, personal computer access, Internet service discounts
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 12, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Agriculture Finance and Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"A new subsection clarifying disbursement rules."
],
"removed": [
"Eliminates previous requirement for municipal matching funds."
],
"summary": "This bill modifies pension fund eligibility for volunteer firefighters under section 353G.06.",
"modified": [
"Adjusts pension payment schedule from annual to quarterly."
]
},
"citation": "353G.06"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"New responsibilities for fostering digital equity."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill amends the duties and structure of the Office of Broadband Development and Digital Equity under section 116J.39.",
"modified": [
"Renames the office to include Digital Equity in its title."
]
},
"citation": "116J.39"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Subdivisions focusing on broadband adoption targets for 2028."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill updates the state's broadband goals as outlined in section 237.012.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "237.012"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Requirement for on-the-ground testing of broadband availability."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends section 116J.397 to update rules for collecting and mapping broadband deployment data.",
"modified": [
"Mapping and data collection procedures."
]
},
"citation": "116J.397"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References section 177.42 in relation to workforce best practices in broadband grant awards.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.42"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Employment provisions reference sections 177.27 to 177.45 in requiring compliance for broadband construction projects.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.27 to 177.45"
}
]