SB123 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Clay Scofield
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.
Summary: SB123 updates the Connect Alabama Act to raise minimum broadband speeds, tighten data confidentiality, and adjust how Connect Alabama Fund money is spent and planned.
What This Bill Does
It sets a new minimum service threshold of 100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up per user. It allows the Alabama Digital Expansion Division chief to sign nondisclosure agreements to protect provider-specific information. It revises how Connect Alabama Fund money is spent, requiring 70% of funds in the first three years to go to unserved-area last-mile work and to middle-mile/line-extension programs, with annual revisions to funding and overall plan requirements, and it requires development of a statewide connectivity plan with input from stakeholders.

Who It Affects
End users (residents and businesses) in rural, underserved, or unserved areas who would gain access to higher-speed broadband and new funding programs to expand service.
Broadband providers and state agencies (ADECA and the Alabama Digital Expansion Division) who must share data under confidentiality rules and administer grants and funds under the new plan.

Key Provisions
Minimum Service Threshold defined as 100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up per customer for fixed broadband.
Division chief may enter nondisclosure agreements to protect provider-specific information, which remains confidential and is used only for mapping, policy, and grant eligibility.
Connect Alabama Fund: funds managed within the State Treasury and distributed to ADECA for the division to implement the statewide connectivity plan; 70% of state funds for three years after May 17, 2021 must be spent on unserved-area last-mile projects and on middle mile/line-extension programs; after that, funds are spent according to the statewide connectivity plan.
Annual funding review and potential revisions: program funding amounts evaluated annually with approval by the authority; after the initial period, funds must follow the plan's goals.
Plan development: statewide connectivity plan due for approval by July 1, 2022, covering long-haul/middle mile, last-mile projects, and considerations for rural/underserved/unserved areas, with input from providers and the Alabama Supercomputer Authority.
Administration and powers: the Division is created under ADECA, led by a division chief who can hire staff, enter contracts, administer grants, accept funds, promote private investment, and adopt rules within 90 days of initial funding.
Grant programs: establishment and administration of Connect Alabama grant programs to promote deployment and adoption of broadband; includes funding priorities for unserved areas and potential creation of additional programs consistent with the statewide plan.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Broadband