CS/HB 945 - Broadband Internet Service Summary

• Designates the Department of Economic Opportunity as Florida's single entity to receive and manage all federal Department of Commerce State Broadband Initiative funds and establishes a public-private partnership to administer broadband adoption programs.

• Authorizes the Department of Economic Opportunity to develop geographical information system maps identifying broadband service gaps, transmission speeds, and deployment baselines; create strategic plans for broadband adoption; establish local technology planning teams; and award grants prioritizing rural and underserved areas.

• Grants the Department of Economic Opportunity authority to accept federal funds and donations, enter into contracts, establish committees and workgroups, and adopt necessary rules for broadband promotion activities.

• Transfers all powers, duties, functions, records, property, contracts, and administrative authority of the Broadband Initiative Program from the Department of Management Services to the Department of Economic Opportunity through a type two transfer.

• Requires the Department of Management Services to request transfer of its federal broadband grant to the Department of Economic Opportunity and, if approved, submit a budget amendment to the Legislative Budget Commission to transfer necessary implementation funds.