HB 1341 Summary

• Rural counties may develop and submit rural strategic development plans to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for joint approval within 30 days of submission.

• Plans must be developed with the Indiana Works Council, Ivy Tech Community College regional advisory committees, and cooperative-owned utilities, and must address broadband delivery (50Mbps upload/100Mbps download for 90% of residents), telehealth services, economic growth strategies, workforce development, and STEM education.

• Rural economic development fund grants cannot be awarded to recipients in counties without an approved strategic development plan on file.

• The Indiana Finance Authority may lease state broadband infrastructure to operators in underserved areas; lease agreements must require "at cost" broadband access for municipally and cooperatively-owned utilities in counties with approved plans and affordable services for all other persons.

• Amounts paid under broadband lease agreements transfer to the rural economic development fund, with the Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the commission having oversight authority over provider compliance.