CA AB2279

Redirects the Rural and Urban Regional Broadband Consortia Grant Account to fund activities closing the digital divide, promoting digital inclusion, and achieving digital equity, rather than solely assisting with infrastructure grant applications

Establishes annual base funding of at least $200,000 per consortium, with additional amounts based on unserved/underserved locations and low-income households, capped at $500,000 per consortium per year

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to approve regional work plans for each consortium based on a standardized scope of work developed through public workshops

Eliminates the requirement for consortia to conduct annual audits, replacing it with standardized annual reports on activities, households assisted, enrollment in affordable internet service, and digital literacy training

Authorizes the commission to contract with nonprofit organizations through competitive bidding to assist consortia with learning communities and sharing best practices for broadband deployment and adoption