OH HB281

Establishes a residential broadband expansion program within the Development Services Agency to provide matching grants covering one-third of broadband funding gaps for last-mile infrastructure in residential areas of municipal corporations and townships.

Requires project sponsors (municipalities or townships) to secure the remaining two-thirds of funding through local and/or county contributions, with broadband service defined as minimum 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload speeds.

Implements a competitive sealed proposal process for selecting broadband providers, with development services director approving complete applications within 60 days on a first-come, first-served basis up to $2,000,000 biennially.

Authorizes counties and townships to levy special assessments on residential property within eligible areas to fund their share of projects, with property owner notice and objection procedures required before final assessment adoption.

Appropriates $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2019 from the state treasury to the Ohio Broadband Development Grant Fund to provide matching grants under the program.