SB111,1309,6 196.376 Residential energy improvement program. The commission may establish and implement a program under which a public utility may finance energy improvements at a specific dwelling and recover the cost of those improvements over time through a surcharge periodically placed on the public utility's customer account for that dwelling. If the commission establishes such a program, it shall promulgate rules to implement the program.

SB111,2418 Section 2418 . 196.379 of the statutes is created to read:

SB111,1309,9 196.379 Voluntary innovative technology programs. (1) In this section, “energy utility” has the meaning given in s. 196.374 (1) (e).

SB111,1309,13 (2) (a) An energy utility may, with commission approval, administer or fund a voluntary innovative technology program. An energy utility may pay for a program under this subsection through rate charges to customers of the energy utility, as approved by the commission, or by another method approved by the commission.

SB111,1309,15 (b) The commission shall promulgate rules related to implementing a program under this subsection.

SB111,1309,20 (c) Upon approving a program under this subsection, the commission shall establish an initial pilot period for the program and a timeline for reevaluating the program. The commission shall reevaluate a program under this subsection according to the timeline established under this paragraph and shall set or revise goals, priorities, and measurable targets for the program.

SB111,1309,22 (d) The commission may not order an energy utility to administer or fund a program under this subsection.

SB111,1309,25 (e) An energy utility that administers or funds a program under this subsection may request at any time, and the commission may approve an energy utility's request, to modify or discontinue, in whole or in part, the program.

SB111,2419 Section 2419. 196.491 (3g) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB111,1310,9 196.491 (3g) (a) A person who receives a certificate of public convenience and necessity for a high-voltage transmission line that is designed for operation at a nominal voltage of 345 kilovolts or more under sub. (3) shall pay the department of administration commission an annual impact fee as specified in the rules promulgated by the department of administration commission under s. 16.969 196.492 (2) (a) and shall pay the department of administration commission a one-time environmental impact fee as specified in the rules promulgated by the department of administration commission under s. 16.969 196.492 (2) (b).

SB111,2420 Section 2420 . 196.504 (1) (ac) 4. of the statutes is created to read:

SB111,1310,12 196.504 (1) (ac) 4. A political subdivision that is underserved or that is located in an unserved area.

SB111,2421 Section 2421 . 196.504 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB111,1310,17 196.504 (2) (a) To make broadband expansion grants to eligible applicants for the purpose of constructing broadband infrastructure in underserved areas designated under par. (d). Grants awarded under this section subsection shall be paid from the appropriations under s. 20.155 (3) (a), (r), and (rm).

SB111,2422 Section 2422 . 196.504 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB111,1310,23 196.504 (2) (b) To prescribe the form, nature, and extent of the information that shall be contained in an application for a grant under this section subsection. The application shall require the applicant to identify the area of the state that will be affected by the proposed project and explain how the proposed project will increase broadband access.

SB111,2423 Section 2423 . 196.504 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB111,1311,17 196.504 (2) (c) To establish criteria for evaluating applications and awarding grants under this section subsection. The criteria shall prohibit grants that have the effect of subsidizing the expenses of a provider of telecommunications service, as defined in s. 182.017 (1g) (cq), or the monthly bills of customers of those providers. The criteria shall give priority to projects that include matching funds, that involve public-private partnerships, that affect unserved areas, that are scalable, that promote economic development, that will not result in delaying the provision of broadband service to areas neighboring areas to be served by the proposed project, or that affect a large geographic area or a large number of underserved individuals or communities. When evaluating grant applications under this section subsection, the commission shall consider the degree to which the proposed projects would duplicate existing broadband infrastructure, information about the presence of which is provided to the commission by the applicant or another person within a time period designated by the commission; the impacts of the proposed projects on the ability of individuals to access health care services from home and the cost of those services; and the impacts of the proposed projects on the ability of students to access educational opportunities from home.

SB111,2424 Section 2424 . 196.504 (2g) of the statutes is created to read:

SB111,1311,20 196.504 (2g) The commission shall administer the broadband connector program and shall have the following powers:

SB111,1312,3 (a) To make broadband planning grants to political subdivisions, school districts, tribal governments, regional planning commissions, nonprofit organizations, and local economic development organizations for broadband planning, feasibility engineering related to broadband infrastructure construction, broadband adoption planning, and digital inclusion activities. The amount of a broadband planning grant under this subsection may not exceed $50,000. Grants awarded under this subsection shall be paid from the appropriations under s. 20.155 (1) (c).

SB111,1312,5 (b) To provide training, technical assistance, and information on broadband infrastructure construction, broadband adoption, and digital inclusion.

SB111,2425 Section 2425 . 196.504 (2r) of the statutes is created to read:

SB111,1312,8 196.504 (2r) The commission shall administer the line extension assistance program and shall have the following powers:

SB111,1312,14 (a) To make financial assistance grants to residents of properties that are not served by a broadband service provider to assist in paying the customer costs associated with line extension necessary to connect broadband service to the properties. The amount of a financial assistance grant under this subsection may not exceed $4,000. Grants awarded under this subsection shall be paid from the appropriations under s. 20.155 (1) (c).

SB111,1312,17 (b) To establish criteria for evaluating applications and awarding financial assistance grants under this subsection. The criteria shall give priority to properties that serve as a primary residence.

SB111,2426 Section 2426 . 196.504 (3) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

SB111,1312,23 196.504 (3) (d) 1. Require each Internet service provider to disclose to the commission by April 1 of each year the properties it serves, the average minimum download and upload speeds at which it provides residential and business Internet service to those properties, and a description of its existing service area in a format determined by the commission.

SB111,1313,3 2. Use the information disclosed under subd. 1. to conduct broadband mapping and facilitate the deployment of broadband infrastructure and access to broadband service.