MN SF8

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 during the COVID-19 peacetime public health emergency for school years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021.

Creates a telemedicine equipment reimbursement grant program administered by the Department of Employment and Economic Development to reimburse eligible healthcare providers (community health clinics, critical access hospitals, public health departments, physician practices, and nursing facilities) for purchasing telemedicine equipment needed to provide COVID-19 related healthcare services.

Establishes a supplemental broadband development grant program to fund middle-mile and last-mile broadband infrastructure supporting speeds of at least 100 megabits per second in unserved or underserved areas, with priority given to projects supporting distance learning, telemedicine, business continuity, and telecommuting during the COVID-19 emergency.

Appropriates $15,000,000 for distance learning broadband access grants, $2,000,000 for telemedicine equipment grants, and $10,000,000 for supplemental broadband development grants from the coronavirus relief federal fund in fiscal year 2021, with all appropriations expiring April 15, 2021.

Requires reporting to the legislature by May 15, 2021, on grant recipients, amounts awarded, program administration costs, and unused funds for all three grant programs.