CT SB00331

Establishes a high-speed Internet service pilot program administered by the Office of Policy and Management to support infrastructure development capable of transmitting one gigabit per second downstream to all customers.

Authorizes the Office of Policy and Management to issue requests for proposals from individual municipalities or groups of municipalities, which may partner with telephone companies, cable companies, Internet service providers, or other entities.

Requires grant applicants to demonstrate matching or exceeding funds from private or other sources and prioritizes areas where high-speed Internet access does not exist or is severely limited, considering financial viability, technical feasibility, cost to subscribers, and community needs in education, health care, public safety, and low-income access.

Mandates grant recipients to submit annual reports for five years to state agencies and the General Assembly Joint Standing Committees on Appropriations and Energy and Technology regarding the status of high-speed Internet services.

Appropriates $20 million from the General Fund for fiscal year 2017, with up to $1 million allowed for program management, administration, audits, and compliance verification.