The Treasury Department cleared broadband funding for four states under the American Rescue Plan’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, the department said Thursday. Treasury OK'd $83.5 million for Kansas, $110 million for Maine, $95 million for Maryland and $68.4 million for Minnesota. The states’ projects are expected to connect about 83,000 homes and businesses, it said. States must submit plans to Treasury by Sept. 24.
The Arizona Commerce Authority unveiled about $100 million in broadband grants Tuesday. It said $75.7 million will go to 14 awardees in rural counties, and $23.6 million will go to six entities in urban counties.
Maryland’s broadband office awarded $127.6 million to ISPs, communities and educational organizations to reach about 15,000 unserved or underserved households and grade-school students, said Gov. Larry Hogan (R) Friday. “Broadband is now available to well over 95% of Marylanders,” said Hogan. “Our goal is to ensure universal broadband to everyone in every single corner of the state.” Maryland awarded grants through four Connect Maryland programs. Of nearly $99.8 million from the Network Infrastructure Grant Program, Choptank Electric received the most money ($20.5 million), followed by Talkie ($19.8 million), Comcast ($17.4 million), Shentel ($10 million), Quantum ($10 million) and Charter Communications ($8.5 million).
The Pennsylvania House voted 109-91 for a broadband bill to order an inventory of state-owned assets (see 2106150076). SB-442 would also create a restricted account in the general fund for deploying broadband to unserved and underserved areas, funded by revenue from leases and licenses allowed by the bill, said a fiscal summary: If enacted, the bill would provide about $37,000 annually to the account. Republicans cast all the yes votes Wednesday, with only two joining Democrats in voting no. The Senate passed SB-442 last year in a 27-20 vote that broke on similar party lines, but the chamber must vote again to agree to House changes.
The Colorado Broadband Office expects to tap $500 million in federal coronavirus and infrastructure funding for a new grant program, the CBO said Wednesday. The Advance Colorado Broadband program will “prioritize community-driven projects where stakeholders plan to work together to address the state’s broadband needs,” said CBO: Potential applicants should file letters of intent by July 18.
A Florida department sent a state broadband plan to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and legislative leaders Thursday. The Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) said its plan is meant to guide state decision-makers on “investments for the provision of high-speed, reliable broadband Internet service access to all Florida communities in support of telemedicine, education opportunities, workforce development, and community development.” DEO said the document’s “three steps to building a connected economy -- availability, adoption, and use -- support Florida’s resiliency only if Florida’s communities assume primary responsibility for contributing to this effort.” DEO identified deployment barriers including “a lack of detailed data,” U.S. restrictions preventing areas from getting support from multiple federal support programs, and Florida prohibiting state funding in federally funded areas.
The FCC Wireless Bureau asked for comments by July 11, replies July 18, on an NFL request for a waiver of rules for the citizens broadband radio service allowing the league to continue operating a coach-to-coach communications systems in the event of a localized internet outage in stadiums during games. The NFL had a previous waiver that expired in February (see 2203140031) and asked for it to be extended through the 2025 Super Bowl, the bureau said in docket 21-111.
Hawaii Gov. David Ige (R) plans to partly veto a bill passed by the legislature to require the University of Hawaii and state broadband office to convene a working group to determine governance for operating, maintaining and overseeing broadband assets, the governor’s office said Monday. SB-2076 appeared on a list of 30 bills that Ige intends to veto, though he has until July 12 to make final decisions. SB-2076, which also would appropriate funds for three full-time positions for the broadband office and the university’s broadband effort, is one of two bills “being considered for line-item vetoes of specific appropriations, including the over-appropriation of federal funds,” said the governor’s office: Hawaii “must operate within the federal Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirements contained in the American Rescue Plan Act.” Also, Ige plans to veto HB-1980, which would permit but not require Medicaid, health insurers and others to cover telephonic behavioral health services. “While the intent of this bill is appreciated, its wording is vague and may allow insurance providers to restrict access to telephonic services,” the governor’s office said. “This could especially impact patients in rural and underserved areas, those with limited digital skills, or those with limited access to reliable internet service.”
NTIA gave a $10.5 million broadband grant to Michigan State University, the agency said Monday. The grant will fund middle-mile fiber expansion across 74 counties and is expected to help reach more than 120,000 unserved locations, including about 16,500 unserved households, NTIA said. It’s the final award from the broadband infrastructure program, which provided 14 awards totaling $288 million, the agency said.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) will consider signing a bill to establish a state broadband office. The state Senate voted 20-5 Friday to pass HB-2678. The House passed it 46-13 in February (see 2202240041).