RCRC and a coalition of stakeholders voiced its support for Senate Bill 1130, authored by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). SB 1130 would reform the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) program to require high-speed broadband infrastructure deployment in order to be eligible for state funding. Current law allows local governments to be eligible for funding only if no other service provider applies to fund a project in that area.
Specifically, SB 1130 requires awardees of CASF funding to build high-speed, future proof networks in unserved areas, and allows for middle-mile project funding if that infrastructure is “open access” to service providers. This bill would also make local governments eligible for CASF funding to deploy broadband infrastructure in unserved and high poverty areas.
Bringing reliable, high-speed internet access to RCRC member counties is essential for economic growth, providing basic health care services and ensuring public safety in rural communities. From distance learning to emergency evacuation notifications, telecommunication systems have become the backbone of daily life and need to be enhanced in rural communities. The current structure of the CASF program allows very little opportunity for rural local governments to obtain a reliable broadband network for their residents.
On Tuesday, SB 1130 passed out of the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee on a 11-2 vote, and will be considered in the Senate Appropriations Committee in the next couple weeks. A coalition support letter for the bill can be found here.
In a newspaper article published last week, RCRC Legislative Advocate Tracy Rhine spoke about these important issues and highlighted RCRC’s ongoing advocacy efforts to expand broadband access to rural areas in California. The article is available here.