MS SB2604

Creates the Mississippi Broadband Expansion Commission, with 3 members appointed by the Governor and 2 by the Lieutenant Governor, to review applications for broadband infrastructure projects and recommend funding allocations to the Legislature by December 31 each year

Establishes the Mississippi Broadband Expansion Fund to receive federal and state money for broadband deployment in unserved and underserved areas, with broadband service defined as at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds

Requires applicants to demonstrate technical, financial, and managerial capability, with preference given to projects serving areas with no current fixed terrestrial internet access and evaluation based on cost per location, scalability, and community support

Exempts subcontractors and sub-subcontractors working on broadband infrastructure buildout from State Board of Contractors licensing requirements

Grants municipally-owned electric utilities with more than one-third of their service area outside municipal boundaries the same broadband deployment powers as electric cooperatives under the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act