SB836: Bill Text

LRB-4876/1

MDK:cjs

2019 - 2020 LEGISLATURE

2019 Senate BILL 836

February 20, 2020 - Introduced by Senators Smith, Ringhand, Bewley, Erpenbach, Hansen, Johnson and Miller, cosponsored by Representatives Vruwink, Milroy, Doyle, Anderson, Considine, Emerson, Ohnstad, Pope, Sargent, Sinicki, Spreitzer, Stubbs and Subeck. Referred to Committee on Utilities and Housing.

SB836,1,4 An Act to repeal 66.0422 (2) (c), 66.0422 (4) and 66.0422 (5); and to amend 196.504 (1) (ac) 3. and 196.504 (2) (a) of the statutes; relating to: broadband expansion grants for cities, villages, towns, and counties and telecommunications-related construction projects of cities, villages, and towns.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill makes changes to the broadband expansion grant program that affect cities, villages, towns, and counties (political subdivisions). Under current law, the PSC administers the program and makes grants to eligible applicants for constructing broadband infrastructure in underserved areas. The bill allows a political subdivision to apply for a grant without submitting the application in partnership with a telecommunications utility or a for-profit or not-for-profit organization, which is required under current law. The bill also allows a political subdivision to use a grant for the following purposes, in addition to constructing broadband infrastructure: 1) planning related to broadband infrastructure construction, including broadband feasibility reports; and 2) defraying no more than 50 percent of the cost of hiring and employing one broadband director.

The bill also eliminates a requirement for a city, village, or town to prepare a report before constructing or operating a facility for providing to the public telecommunications service, cable television or similar video service, or broadband service. With exceptions, current law requires a city, village, or town to hold a hearing before enacting an ordinance or adopting a resolution authorizing it to construct or operate such a facility. In addition, at least 30 days prior to the hearing, the city, village, or town must prepare and make available to the public a report that estimates the total costs and revenues for the facility and includes a cost-benefit analysis of the facility for a period of at least three years. Under this bill, a city, village, or town is not required to prepare that report.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB836,1 Section 1. 66.0422 (2) (c) of the statutes is repealed.

SB836,2 Section 2. 66.0422 (4) of the statutes is repealed.

SB836,3 Section 3. 66.0422 (5) of the statutes is repealed.

SB836,4 Section 4. 196.504 (1) (ac) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB836,2,6 196.504 (1) (ac) 3. A political subdivision that submits an application in partnership with an eligible applicant under subd. 1. or 2.

SB836,5 Section 5. 196.504 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB836,2,14 196.504 (2) (a) To make broadband expansion grants to eligible applicants for the purpose of constructing broadband infrastructure in underserved areas designated under par. (d) and to political subdivisions for project planning related to such construction, including broadband feasibility reports, or for defraying no more than 50 percent of the cost of hiring and employing one broadband director. Grants awarded under this section shall be paid from the appropriations under s. 20.155 (3) (r) and (rm).

SB836,2,15 (End)