MN SF3476

Department of Employment and Economic Development establishes a broadband line extension grant program to extend existing broadband infrastructure to unserved locations through a reverse auction process awarding grants up to $25,000 per line extension.

Department must create a portal by November 1, 2022 allowing residents and businesses to report unavailable broadband service and share this data with service providers every six months to identify unserved addresses.

Service providers can submit bids within 60 days to extend broadband infrastructure to unserved addresses, with the state selecting the lowest-cost proposals that represent cost-effective spending; winning bidders must extend service at speeds of at least 100 megabits per second download and upload.

Broadband providers may use existing or newly acquired easements to install broadband infrastructure and provide service after providing two written notices to property owners spaced at least two months apart; use vests with the land six months after first notice unless challenged in court.

Property owners may file damages claims within six months of receiving notice in conciliation court (for claims under $15,000) or district court, with courts calculating damages based on net reduction in property fair market value and providers responsible for attorney fees if final judgment exceeds 140 percent of their damage deposit.