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SF868 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Broadband grants used for fixed wireless broadband authorization and broadband mapping requirements clarification provision

AI Generated Summary

Senate File No. 868 is a bill introduced to the Minnesota legislature that proposes to update and clarify how broadband grants can be used and how broadband coverage is mapped in the state. Key components of the bill include:

  1. Expansion of Grant Usage: The bill allows broadband grants to be used specifically for establishing fixed wireless broadband services, in addition to existing services.

  2. Clarification of Definitions and Areas:

    • Broadband Definition: It reinforces the definition of broadband and other terms like 'last-mile' and 'middle-mile' infrastructure.
    • Underserved and Unserved Areas: It defines 'underserved areas' as places where internet speeds are less than 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, and 'unserved areas' as places lacking basic broadband as per set standards.

  3. Broadband Mapping Requirements:

    • Data Collection: The Office of Broadband Development is tasked to annually contract organizations to collect, verify, and map broadband deployment data.
    • Map Availability and Updates: Updated broadband availability maps must be made public every year to highlight service levels across Minnesota and guide future infrastructure investments.
    • Surveys: The bill also mandates conducting surveys to measure broadband usage and adoption.

This bill aims to improve and expand broadband infrastructure in Minnesota, especially focusing on the areas with inadequate services, and to ensure accurate and comprehensive mapping and data for informed decision-making in future broadband projects.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 02, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
February 02, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toAgriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Clarifies definitions for 'broadband', 'last-mile infrastructure', and 'middle-mile infrastructure'."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Removes previous obsolete terms."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill amends the definitions related to broadband grants and infrastructure in section 116J.394.",
      "modified": [
        "Updates definition of 'underserved areas' and 'unserved areas'."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116J.394"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "A requirement for contracting with independent organizations to collect broadband data."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Old provision on non-updated mapping techniques."
      ],
      "summary": "This bill updates provisions related to the collection and mapping of broadband deployment data in section 116J.397.",
      "modified": [
        "Adjusts the deadline for public availability of maps to each April 15 thereafter."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "116J.397"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Specifies data privacy requirements for provider information."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "General data classification references."
      ],
      "summary": "This section provides the nonpublic status for data provided by broadband providers under section 116J.397.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies the scope of nonpublic data concerning provider data submission."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13.02"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Details on public access to broadband maps."
      ],
      "removed": [
        "Redundancies in public data definitions."
      ],
      "summary": "Maps produced under section 116J.397 are deemed public data according to section 13.03.",
      "modified": [
        "Specifies timing for availability of public maps."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "13.03"
  }
]

Sponsors