HF3029 Summary

• Establishes a distance learning broadband access grant program in the Department of Education to provide wireless or wire-line broadband equipment and internet access to students lacking connectivity during the COVID-19 peacetime public health emergency.

• Eligible applicants include Minnesota school districts and charter schools; grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis with maximum per-pupil amounts determined by the commissioner of education.

• Establishes a telemedicine equipment reimbursement grant program in the Department of Employment and Economic Development to reimburse licensed health care providers and counties for purchasing telemedicine equipment to diagnose and evaluate COVID-19 patients.

• Appropriates $8,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 for distance learning broadband access grants (with up to 5% for administration), $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2020 for telemedicine equipment grants, and $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2021 for the border-to-border broadband fund.

• Requires reporting to the legislature by December 1, 2020 on distance learning grants and by December 31, 2020 on telemedicine equipment grants; unexpended funds transfer to the border-to-border broadband fund account.