H1228 - Satellite Broadband Grants

• Establishes a Satellite-Based Broadband Grant Program at the Department of Information Technology to expand satellite broadband service to unserved households in North Carolina.

• Creates a special revenue fund with a maximum aggregate liability of $4,000,000 and annual limit of $2,500,000 per calendar year, with individual household awards capped at $500.

• Grant awards calculated at $250 per unserved household per year of service (up to 24 months), with grantees required to maintain service for at least five years and retain 83% annual subscriber compliance to receive payments.

• Requires grant applicants to submit detailed plans including service area maps, broadband speeds, data caps, adoption barriers, and proposed costs, with priority given to providers serving the greatest number of significantly unserved households.

• Appropriates $2,500,000 in recurring funds for the 2020-2021 fiscal year and requires annual reporting to the General Assembly on grant applications, agreements, household benefits, and program outcomes.