MS HB1800

Appropriates $65,000,000 from the Mississippi Electric Cooperatives Broadband COVID-19 Grant Program Fund to the Department of Finance and Administration for the Electric Cooperatives Broadband COVID-19 Grant Program, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the COVID-19 Broadband Provider Grant Program Fund to the Department of Finance and Administration for the COVID-19 Broadband Provider Grant Program, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.

Requires the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff to certify that all expenditures comply with U.S. Department of the Treasury guidelines for the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the CARES Act and that recipients have not received duplicate reimbursement from other sources.

Mandates the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff to repay the State of Mississippi if federal inspectors determine funds were expended improperly, requiring the state to repay the federal government.

Effective date is July 1, 2020.