Assembly Bill 1065 aims to enhance the broadband expansion grant program overseen by the Public Service Commission (PSC) by establishing clearer definitions and requirements for grant eligibility. The bill introduces a definition for "broadband infrastructure," specifying that it must provide a minimum download speed of 100 megabits per second and a minimum upload speed of 20 megabits per second, or meet the standards set by the Federal Communications Commission. Additionally, applicants must detail the broadband infrastructure they plan to construct with the grant, and grant recipients are required to reimburse the PSC if they fail to complete the construction or if the infrastructure does not meet the specified speed requirements.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that grant recipients submit progress reports to the PSC, detailing construction activities, the number of service connections, and the average speeds of those connections. It also establishes a new requirement for the Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct biennial performance audits of the broadband expansion grant program starting January 1, 2027. The bill includes provisions for the PSC to create rules regarding the reporting and reimbursement processes, ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of grant funds.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 196.504(2)(a), 196.504