LRB-1474/P1
EHS:cjs
2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
DOA:......Sherwin, BB0306 - Digital equity program
For 2023-2025 Budget -- Not Ready For Introduction
An Act ...; relating to: the budget.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
State government
Public utility regulation
Digital equity program
This bill requires PSC to administer a digital equity program under which it may provide outreach and assistance to promote digital equity, coordinate the administration of federal and state digital equity funding, provide digital navigation services, and implement digital inclusion activities. Under the bill, “digital equity” means all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed to fully participate in society.
Current law has established a universal service fund (USF) consisting of moneys that are required to be contributed by certain telecommunications providers. The fund is used for promoting access to telecommunications service and for other specified purposes. This bill allows PSC to use moneys in the USF to administer the digital equity program.
For further information see the state 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:
Section
1. 20.155 (1) (q) of the statutes is amended to read:
20.155 (1) (q) Universal telecommunications service; broadband service; digital equity. From the universal service fund, the amounts in the schedule for the promotion of broadband service and, universal telecommunications service, and digital equity for the purposes specified in s. 196.218 (5) (a) 1., 4., 8., 9., and 10., and 15.
****Note: This Section
involves a change in an appropriation that must be reflected in the revised schedule in s. 20.005, stats.
Section
2. 196.01 (2n) of the statutes is created to read:
196.01 (2n) “Digital equity” means all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed to fully participate in society.
Section
3. 196.218 (5) (a) 15. of the statutes is created to read:
196.218 (5) (a) 15. To administer a digital equity program for the purposes specified under s. 196.504 (10).
Section
4. 196.504 (10) of the statutes is created to read:
196.504 (10) The commission shall administer a digital equity program under which it may do all of the following:
(a) Provide outreach and assistance to promote digital equity.
****Note: I added “to promote digital equity” for clarity, and I split out all of these into separate items.
(b) Coordinate the administration of federal and state digital equity funding.
(c) Provide digital navigation services.
(d) Implement digital inclusion activities.
(End)
