S.F. No. 6 - Summary

• Establishes a Distance Learning Broadband Access Grant Program in the Department of Education to provide wireless or wire-line broadband access to students lacking internet access for distance learning during the COVID-19 emergency, with $15,000,000 appropriated from the coronavirus relief federal fund.

• Creates a Telemedicine Equipment Reimbursement Grant Program in the Department of Employment and Economic Development to reimburse eligible healthcare providers (community health clinics, critical access hospitals, public health departments, physician practices, nursing facilities) for purchasing telemedicine equipment needed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with $2,000,000 appropriated.

• Establishes a Supplemental Broadband Development Program to fund middle-mile and last-mile broadband infrastructure in unserved or underserved areas to support distance learning, telemedicine, business operations, and telecommuting during COVID-19, with $10,000,000 appropriated.

• Requires reports to the legislature by January 15, 2021 (distance learning and telemedicine programs) and January 31, 2021 (broadband development) documenting applications received, grants awarded, amounts distributed, and administration costs.

• All appropriations are one-time allocations from the coronavirus relief federal fund with funds unexpended by December 15, 2020 to be canceled; spending is conditional on commissioner of management and budget approval as eligible use of federal coronavirus relief funds.