H947 - The G.R.E.A.T. Broadband Expansion Act

• Establishes the Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) Fund with up to $400 million in intended American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide broadband grants in unserved or underserved areas, with cost-sharing requirements (state up to 35%, county minimum 35%, provider up to 30%).

• Appropriates $350 million from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (G.R.E.A.T.) Fund for fiscal year 2021-2022 to support broadband infrastructure grants in economically distressed counties.

• Modifies the G.R.E.A.T. program requirements including adjusted scoring criteria, expanded partnership incentives, increased grant limits to $4 million per award ($8 million per county annually), and reduced matching fund requirements for counties using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.

• Defines broadband service as internet access with minimum 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds, and establishes protections for areas already receiving federal broadband funding with an 18-month protection period.

• Takes effect July 1, 2021, and freezes county development tier status at 2020 levels through fiscal year 2024-2025 to mitigate COVID-19 pandemic impacts on economic classifications.