HB189 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randall Shedd

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

Broadband, Connect Alabama Act of 2021 amended, minimum service threshold increased, Alabama Digital Expansion Division chief authorized to enter nondisclosure agreements, Connect Alabama Fund expenditure amended, Secs. 41-23-271, 41-23-273, 41-23-274 am'd.

Description

Under the Connect Alabama Act of 2021, the minimum service threshold for Internet is defined as the minimum speed necessary to meet certain federal requirements.

This bill would increase the minimum service threshold for Internet under the act to at least 100 megabits per second downstream and 20 megabits per second upstream.

This bill would authorize the Alabama Digital Expansion Division chief to enter into nondisclosure agreements to protect provider-specific information unless release of the information is expressly authorized by the service provider.

Under existing law, the Alabama Digital Expansion Division is required to use 70 percent of funds received by the Connect Alabama Fund to extend last-mile infrastructure in unserved areas.

This bill would allow for all funds received by the Connect Alabama Fund to be used to extend last-mile infrastructure in unserved areas and for middle mile and line extension programs.

This bill would also allow for the program funds to be modified annually by a recommendation from the Alabama Digital Expansion Division and approval by the Alabama Digital Expansion Authority.

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Subjects

Broadband