Senate File No. 740 is a legislative bill concerning labor and broadband development in Minnesota. It primarily focuses on modifying the requirements surrounding the awarding of grants within the Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant Program. Key aspects include:

1. Priority for Grant Applications: The bill outlines that the commissioner should prioritize grant applications for broadband projects in unserved areas (no current broadband access). It also states that consideration may be given to underserved areas (limited broadband access), projects enhancing services to critical community institutions (like schools, libraries, and healthcare facilities), initiatives promoting telehealth and use of electronic health records, and projects in economically distressed areas.

2. Workforce Best Practices: A significant portion of the bill mandates that applicants for these grants adhere to certain labor standards, which include:

   • Paying prevailing wages to laborers and mechanics.
   • Providing them with at least 40 hours of hands-on training annually.
   • Offering employer-paid family health insurance.
   • Ensuring employer-paid retirement benefits amounting to no less than 15% of the employee's total taxable wages.

3. Grant Award Procedure: At least 50% of the grants funded through general appropriations for this program should go to applicants who commit to these workforce best practices.

4. Repeals and Amendments: The bill intends to repeal certain existing labor standards specific to broadband industry installers, although specific details of those repeals are not listed in the summary provided.

Overall, SF No. 740 seeks to ensure that broadband development grants not only extend broadband access, especially in underserved and economically challenged areas, but also promote fair labor practices and worker benefits among those employed on these projects. Additionally, the bill emphasizes community and economic well-being through digital inclusion and skilled workforce development.