The bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia by establishing a new article that creates the Low Earth Orbit Broadband Internet Connection Fund. This fund is intended to finance the installation of equipment necessary for receiving Low Earth Orbit Broadband Internet Connections at eligible locations identified under existing broadband deployment grant programs. The legislation recognizes the ongoing efforts to expand broadband services across the state, while also providing an alternative means for citizens to access internet communications through Low Earth Orbit technology until full broadband deployment is achieved.

The fund will be administered by the Department of Commerce and will include various sources of funding such as gifts, grants, and legislative appropriations. Notably, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, and 2027, the bill allows for expenditures from the fund to be made from collections rather than requiring explicit legislative appropriations. Additionally, any unspent balance in the fund at the end of each fiscal year will not revert to the General Revenue Fund but will remain available for future expenditures as outlined in the bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 31G-7-1, 31G-7-2