MN HF2355

Establishes a pilot program under the Department of Employment and Economic Development to award grants to eligible applicants for broadband service development in unserved areas of Minnesota.

Limits grant awards to $300 per household and requires applicants to provide broadband service with speeds of at least 25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload.

Grants may cover costs related to broadband infrastructure and satellite broadband equipment, with applicants required to submit project location, equipment details, evidence of unserved status, household numbers, and total project costs.

Requires the Office of Broadband Development to report by February 15, 2020 to legislative committee chairs on all grant applications received, total amounts requested, and total households served.

Appropriates unspecified amount from general fund for fiscal year 2020 to the commissioner of employment and economic development for deposit in the border-to-border broadband fund account to award grants.