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 bill is to enhance broadband development and digital equity in Minnesota. It aims to rename the existing Office of Broadband Development to include digital equity, broaden the state's broadband goals, and establish a grant program for multifamily dwellings. The bill also seeks to revise the roles and responsibilities of the office related to broadband deployment and reporting.
Main Provisions
Office Renaming and Responsibilities: The Office of Broadband Development will now be known as the Office of Broadband Development and Digital Equity. It is tasked with improving broadband access, adoption, and digital inclusion across the state. It will also focus on job creation, innovation, market expansion, and improving underserved communities' access.
State Broadband Goals: New goals are set for broadband access, with a target for 95% of Minnesota households to have a home broadband subscription by 2028. The bill also aims for a majority of households to have access to Internet service discounts and a personal computing device.
Duties and Coordination: The office will coordinate with various governmental and private entities to develop statewide broadband policies and plans. It will work on broadband infrastructure development and encourage public-private partnerships to expand broadband services.
Reporting and Evaluation: The office must submit an annual report assessing broadband availability, speeds, infrastructure, and digital inclusion initiatives. It will also evaluate grant applications based on criteria like serving unserved or underserved areas and contributing to economic development.
Grant Programs: A new grant program is introduced to support broadband services in multifamily housing, targeting properties with unserved households or higher poverty rates. Grants will cover expenses like Internet infrastructure installation and digital navigation support.
Data Collection and Mapping: The office will update broadband deployment data and maps annually to guide future investments. This data includes availability and speed of broadband services across the state, to be made publicly accessible.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
Redefinition of Office Functions: The bill modifies the functions of the Office of Broadband to include digital equity initiatives, focusing not only on infrastructure but also on adoption and education about broadband services.
Expanded Grant Criteria: There are new criteria for prioritizing grant applications, focusing on regions with significant needs for improved broadband.
Amended Reporting Obligations: The bill updates the reporting requirements to emphasize analysis of broadband use and adoption across various community sectors like education, public safety, and healthcare.
Relevant Terms
- Broadband Development
- Digital Equity
- Multifamily Dwelling Grant Program
- Underserved Areas
- Broadband Subscription
- Public-Private Partnership
- Telehealth
- Broadband Infrastructure
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 | Referred to | Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Definitions now include specific terms used in new broadband policies."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines 'local unit of government' for purposes related to broadband development policies.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "116G.03",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Clarifies legal terms essential for interpreting broadband development plans."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This section defines important terms related to broadband infrastructure and policies.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "116G.03",
"subdivision": "subdivision 5"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"The prevailing wage criteria for laborers working on funded broadband projects."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Contains the definition of 'prevailing wage rate' impacting broadband infrastructure projects.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.42",
"subdivision": "subdivision 6"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Integration of labor law into grant conditions for broadband infrastructure projects."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provides enforcement provisions for wage terms applicable to broadband grant projects.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.27",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Mandates maintenance of payroll records for compliance."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Covers required wage recordkeeping for broadband development projects.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.30",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Includes penalty provisions for non-compliance with wage terms in projects."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Covers penalties for wage violation applicable to broadband grant projects.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.32",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Binds broadband grant projects under existing public work regulations."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Applies prevailing wage laws to public works, relevant to broadband initiatives.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.41",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Ensures compliance with construction labor standards for broadband projects."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Provides extended definitions for construction labour obligations on broadband projects.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.435",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Empowers the commissioner to enforce wage compliance in broadband projects."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Describes enforcement authorities for public work wage violations related to broadband.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "177.45",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Provides clarity on data handling and privacy obligations for broadband provider data."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Designates broadband provider data classification status.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "13.02",
"subdivision": "subdivision 9"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Ensures transparency in broadband infrastructure by making maps publicly available."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cover the public availability of state-produced broadband maps.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "13.03",
"subdivision": ""
}
]