Signed by Governor Jared Polis

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes a program to provide financial assistance for income-eligible households to access broadband services.

Highlights:

• Alleges providing financial assistance for broadband service to low-income households affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency is an eligible use of money received by the state under the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (Sec. 1-1).

• Specifies the broadband office does not implement the reimbursement program, the broadband office will award grants totaling up to $15 million to one or more providers of telehealth services (Sec. 2.II).

• Specifies in choosing a nonprofit organization with which to contract, the broadband office need not comply with the "procurement code", households that are income-eligible to participate in the program are those households that (Sec. 2-1.5.a):

• Have a household income that does not exceed the higher of 200% of the federal poverty level or 80% of the area median income; or

• Are located in critically unserved areas of the state. A household is eligible for reimbursement only if:

• For broadband service provided by a satellite provider; and

• Concerning the household's primary residence.

• Requires the broadband office to direct that a nonprofit organization does the following to administer the program (Sec. 2.c):

• Use a portion of the money transmitted to the nonprofit organization for implementing the program to cover its direct and indirect costs in administering the program; and

• Periodically report to the broadband office, in a form and manner determined by the broadband office, regarding its administration of the program.

• Specifies if the broadband office does not find a nonprofit organization with which to contract to implement the program, the program will not be implemented and the broadband office will use the money allocated for implementation of the program to award additional grants for telehealth services (Sec. 2.e).

• Requires the broadband office to submit a written report to the governor and the general assembly's joint budget committee and joint technology committee regarding the broadband office's implementation of the program. Reports must include (Sec. 2.g):

• The number of households receiving assistance under the program in the previous calendar year; and

• Recommendations on how to make the program more successful, including any legislative changes needed to improve the success of the program.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a program to provide financial assistance for income-eligible households to access broadband services.

Highlights:

• Alleges providing financial assistance for broadband service to low-income households affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency is an eligible use of money received by the state under the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" (Sec. 1-1).

• Specifies the broadband office does not implement the reimbursement program, the broadband office will award grants totaling up to $15 million to one or more providers of telehealth services (Sec. 2.II).

• Specifies in choosing a nonprofit organization with which to contract, the broadband office need not comply with the "procurement code", households that are income-eligible to participate in the program are those households that (Sec. 2-1.5.a):

• Have a household income that does not exceed the higher of 200% of the federal poverty level or 80% of the area median income; or

• Are located in critically unserved areas of the state. A household is eligible for reimbursement only if:

• For broadband service provided by a satellite provider; and

• Concerning the household's primary residence.

• Requires the broadband office to direct that a nonprofit organization does the following to administer the program (Sec. 2.c):

• Use a portion of the money transmitted to the nonprofit organization for implementing the program to cover its direct and indirect costs in administering the program; and

• Periodically report to the broadband office, in a form and manner determined by the broadband office, regarding its administration of the program.

• Specifies if the broadband office does not find a nonprofit organization with which to contract to implement the program, the program will not be implemented and the broadband office will use the money allocated for implementation of the program to award additional grants for telehealth services (Sec. 2.e).

• Requires the broadband office to submit a written report to the governor and the general assembly's joint budget committee and joint technology committee regarding the broadband office's implementation of the program. Reports must include (Sec. 2.g):

• The number of households receiving assistance under the program in the previous calendar year; and

• Recommendations on how to make the program more successful, including any legislative changes needed to improve the success of the program.

Full Bill Text