SB70-AA1,1074 Section 1074. 20.155 (3) (r) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA1,475,3 20.155 (3) (r) Broadband expansion grants; transfers. From the universal service fund, all moneys transferred under s. 196.218 (3) (a) 2s. a., 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, section 9236 (1v), 2017 Wisconsin Act 59, section 9237 (1) and (2) (a), and 2019 Wisconsin Act 9, section 9201 (1), for broadband expansion grants under s. 196.504 (2).

SB70-AA1,1075 Section 1075. 20.155 (3) (rm) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA1,475,7 20.155 (3) (rm) Broadband grants; other funding. From the universal service fund, as a continuing appropriation, all moneys transferred under s. 196.218 (3) (a) 2s. b., for broadband expansion grants under s. 196.504 (2).

SB70-AA1,1076 Section 1076. 196.504 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA1,475,13 196.504 (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.

SB70-AA1,1077 Section 1077. 196.504 (2r) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA1,475,16 196.504 (2r) The commission shall administer the line extension assistance program and shall have the following powers:

SB70-AA1,475,22 (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 appropriation under s. 20.155 (3) (b).

SB70-AA1,475,25 (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.

SB70-AA1,1078 Section 1078. 20.155 (1) (q) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA1,476,6 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.

SB70-AA1,1079 Section 1079. 196.01 (2n) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA1,476,9 196.01 (2n) “Digital equity” means all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed to fully participate in society.

SB70-AA1,1080 Section 1080. 196.218 (5) (a) 15. of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA1,476,12 196.218 (5) (a) 15. To administer a digital equity program for the purposes specified under s. 196.504 (10).

SB70-AA1,1081 Section 1081. 196.504 (10) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA1,476,15 196.504 (10) The commission shall administer a digital equity program under which it may do all of the following:

SB70-AA1,476,16 (a) Provide outreach and assistance to promote digital equity.

SB70-AA1,476,17 (b) Coordinate the administration of federal and state digital equity funding.

SB70-AA1,476,18 (c) Provide digital navigation services.

SB70-AA1,476,19 (d) Implement digital inclusion activities.

SB70-AA1,1082 Section 1082. 66.0422 (1) (cr) of the statutes is created to read:

SB70-AA1,476,22 66.0422 (1) (cr) “Unserved area” means an area of this state that is designated as an unserved area by the public service commission under s. 196.504 (2) (e).

SB70-AA1,1083 Section 1083. 66.0422 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA1,477,8 66.0422 (2) (c) No less than 30 days before the public hearing, the local government prepares and makes available for public inspection a report estimating the total costs of, and revenues derived from, constructing, owning, or operating the facility and including a cost-benefit analysis of the facility for a period of at least 3 years. The costs that are subject to this paragraph include personnel costs and costs of acquiring, installing, maintaining, repairing, or operating any plant or equipment, and include an appropriate allocated portion of costs of personnel, plant, or equipment that are used to provide jointly both telecommunications services and other services. This paragraph does not apply to a broadband facility that is intended to serve an unserved area.

SB70-AA1,1084 Section 1084. 66.0422 (3d) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB70-AA1,477,17 66.0422 (3d) (intro.) Subsection (2) does not apply to a facility for providing broadband service to an area within the boundaries of a local government if the local government asks, in writing, each person that provides broadband service within the boundaries of the local government whether the person currently provides broadband service to the area and, if the area is not an unserved area, whether the person intends to provide broadband service to the area within 9 months, or, if the area is an unserved area, whether the person actively plans to provide broadband service to the area within 3 months and any of the following are satisfied:

SB70-AA1,1085 Section 1085. 66.0422 (3d) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: