NC Lawmakers Respond to Pandemic With Swath of Broadband Bills

North Carolina state legislators proposed more broadband spending and other connectivity measures, in bills introduced amid COVID-19. The bipartisan HB-1105 would appropriate $30 million for an Information Technology Department special supplementary grant process. Nineteen Democrats and one Republican introduced HB-1122 to allocate $35 million to such a program in FY 2020-21 and $50 million for the two following fiscal years, plus $5 million for a homework gap program. HB-1130 by 18 Democrats would appropriate $5 million for a competitive grant program to provide broadband outside the classroom for public school students. Six Democratic senators introduced a municipal broadband bill (SB-769) in the state that bans muni broadband expansion. Also Thursday in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed an executive order authorizing and encouraging use of telehealth services during the emergency. Louisiana senators voted 34-0 that day to send to the House the bipartisan SB-406 allowing rural electric cooperatives to provide broadband.