SB18-104 Summary

• Colorado's Broadband Deployment Board must petition the Federal Communications Commission by January 1, 2019 for a waiver to allocate federal Remote Areas Fund money for broadband deployment projects in the state.

• The Remote Areas Fund provides at least $100 million annually from the Connect America Fund to support broadband deployment in extremely high-cost areas; the FCC currently restricts eligibility to telecommunications service providers only.

• If the FCC grants Colorado's petition, the state's third-party contractor must maintain awarded federal funds in a separate account and the Commission may disburse grants in compliance with FCC conditions.

• If the FCC denies the petition, the Board cannot file a new petition or otherwise apply for Remote Areas Fund money.

• The act takes effect August 8, 2018, or on the date of official vote declaration if a referendum petition is filed and approved by voters in November 2018.