SF2889 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Office of Broadband Development renamed the Office of Broadband Development and Digital Equity authorization; office duties and reporting requirements modification; state's broadband goals expansion; multifamily dwelling grant program establishment; definitions for the purpose of broadband development modification
Related bill: HF2279
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of this Minnesota legislative bill is to enhance broadband development and digital equity across the state. It seeks to expand existing broadband goals, rename the existing Office of Broadband Development, establish a multifamily dwelling grant program, and adjust certain definitions related to broadband. The overarching aim is to improve broadband access, adoption, and digital inclusion, focusing particularly on underserved areas and populations.
Main Provisions
- Renaming: The Office of Broadband Development is renamed to the Office of Broadband Development and Digital Equity, emphasizing an added focus on digital equity.
- Expanded Goals: Sets new state goals for broadband adoption, aiming for 95% of Minnesota households to have home broadband and computer access by 2028.
- Multifamily Grant Program: Establishes a grant program to enhance broadband access in multifamily housing units, particularly those with a significant number of unserved households.
- Broadband Infrastructure: Modifications suggest increasing the role of broadband infrastructure in supporting Minnesota’s economic development, education, and public safety.
- Coordination and Planning: The office will serve as the central planning body for state broadband and digital equity initiatives, coordinating with various entities to create a uniform statewide broadband policy.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Office Duties: The office's responsibilities are updated to include comprehensive planning and coordination for broadband and digital equity, previous simply focused on broadband alone.
- Grants Evaluation: New criteria for evaluating grant applications prioritize unserved and underserved areas and emphasize digital skills training and adoption promotion.
- Reporting Requirements: Annual reporting requirements are updated to include evaluations of digital inclusion programs and detailed analyses of broadband access and impact.
Relevant Terms
- Broadband access
- Digital equity
- Broadband infrastructure
- Multifamily dwelling grants
- Unserved and underserved areas
- Wireless facilities
- Internet subscription and service discounts
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| March 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading | |
| March 23, 2025 | Senate | Floor | Action | Referred to | Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Digital inclusion activities and responsibilities for ensuring digital equity are specified."
],
"removed": [
"Previous naming and lack of specificity in digital equity focus."
],
"summary": "Renaming the Office of Broadband Development to include Digital Equity and modifying its duties.",
"modified": [
"Expanded definition of broadband service and updated office responsibilities."
]
},
"citation": "116J.39"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"State goals for home broadband subscription and computer access are specified."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Expanding the state's broadband goals related to adoption and subscription.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "237.012"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced in relation to the prevailing wage rate requirements for broadband projects.",
"modified": [
"Application of prevailing wage to new broadband project criteria."
]
},
"citation": "177.42"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced for enforcement of prevailing wage rates.",
"modified": [
"Details on grant conditions ensuring prevailing wage enforcement for broadband projects."
]
},
"citation": "177.27"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced for the purpose of prevailing wage enforcement in broadband projects.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.30"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced for expanded prevailing wage enforcement.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.32"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Referenced for enforcement of prevailing wages and labor standards in broadband projects.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.41 to 177.435"
}
]