SB736: Bill Text

LRB-4598/1

MDK:wlj

2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Senate BILL 736

February 11, 2016 - Introduced by Senators Vinehout, Erpenbach, Miller, Carpenter, Bewley, Ringhand and L. Taylor, cosponsored by Representatives Danou, Berceau, Billings, Considine, Kahl, Kessler, Ohnstad, Pope, Spreitzer, Subeck, Wachs, Zepnick and C. Taylor. Referred to Committee on Workforce Development, Public Works, and Military Affairs.

SB736,1,2 An Act to amend 20.155 (3) (r) and 196.504 (2) (a) of the statutes; relating to: funding for broadband expansion grants and making appropriations.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill increases the appropriation from the universal service fund for broadband expansion grants by $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2015-16 and $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2016-17. Under current law, the Public Service Commission uses the appropriation to make grants for constructing broadband infrastructure in areas served by fewer than two broadband service providers. The bill also limits the total amount of grants that the PSC can make in a fiscal year to $2,500,000. Under current law, that limit is $1,500,000.

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:

SB736,1 Section 1. 20.155 (3) (r) of the statutes, as created by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB736,2,3 20.155 (3) (r) Broadband expansion grants. From the universal service fund, as a continuing appropriation, the amounts in the schedule for broadband expansion grants under s. 196.504. All moneys transferred under 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, section 9236 (1v) and 2015 Wisconsin Act ..... (this act), section 3 (1) shall be credited to this appropriation account.

SB736,2 Section 2. 196.504 (2) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB736,2,10 196.504 (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 shall be paid from the appropriation under s. 20.155 (3) (r). In each fiscal year, the total amount of the grants may not exceed $1,500,000 $2,500,000.

SB736,3 Section 3 . Fiscal changes.

SB736,2,14 (1) There is transferred from the universal service fund to the appropriation account under section 20.155 (3) (r) of the statutes $2,000,000 in the 2015-16 fiscal year.

SB736,2,19 (2) In the schedule under section 20.005 (3) of the statutes for the appropriation to the public service commission under section 20.155 (3) (r) of the statutes, as affected by the acts of 2015, the dollar amount for fiscal year 2015-16 is increased by $1,000,000 and the dollar amount for fiscal year 2016-17 is increased by $1,000,000 for the purpose for which the appropriation is made.

SB736,2,20 (End)