SB 743: Housing developments: broadband adoption: grant program.
- Session Year: 2021-2022
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2021-07-05
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. Existing law requires the commission to develop, implement, and administer the California Advanced Services Fund program to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced communications services to all Californians that will promote economic growth, job creation, and the substantial social benefits of advanced information and communications technologies.
Existing law establishes various programs intended to promote the development of affordable housing, including the Multifamily Housing Program, under which the Department of Housing and Community Development provides financial assistance in the form of deferred payment loans to pay for the eligible costs of certain housing development activities.
This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish a grant program to fund broadband adoption, digital literacy, and computer equipment for eligible publicly supported communities, low-income mobilehome parks, and farmworker housing, as defined. The bill would require the commission to award grants to eligible publicly supported communities communities, low-income mobilehome parks, and farmworker housing for the purpose of providing either one-time or both funding for computer equipment and to establish computer labs or labs, and ongoing funding for up to 3 years for broadband service and digital literacy programs.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. Existing law requires the commission to develop, implement, and administer the California Advanced Services Fund program to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced communications services to all Californians that will promote economic growth, job creation, and the substantial social benefits of advanced information and communications technologies.
Existing law establishes various programs intended to promote the development of affordable housing, including the Multifamily Housing Program, under which the Department of Housing and Community Development provides financial assistance in the form of deferred payment loans to pay for the eligible costs of certain housing development activities.
This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish a grant program to fund broadband adoption, digital literacy, and computer equipment for eligible publicly supported communities, as defined. The bill would require the commission to award grants to eligible publicly supported communities for the purpose of providing either one-time funding for computer equipment and to establish computer labs or ongoing funding for up to 3 years for broadband service and digital literacy programs.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. Existing law requires the commission to develop, implement, and administer the California Advanced Services Fund program to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced communications services to all Californians that will promote economic growth, job creation, and the substantial social benefits of advanced information and communications technologies.
Existing law establishes various programs intended to promote the development of affordable housing, including the Multifamily Housing Program, under which the Department of Housing and Community Development provides financial assistance in the form of deferred payment loans to pay for the eligible costs of certain housing development activities.
This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would require the Department of Housing and Community Development Public Utilities Commission to establish a grant program to fund broadband adoption, digital literacy, and computer equipment for eligible publicly supported communities, as defined. The bill would require the department commission to award grants to eligible publicly supported communities for the purpose of providing either one-time funding for computer equipment and to establish computer labs or ongoing funding for up to 3 years for broadband service and digital literacy programs.
Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. Existing law requires the commission to develop, implement, and administer the California Advanced Services Fund program to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced communications services to all Californians that will promote economic growth, job creation, and the substantial social benefits of advanced information and communications technologies.
Existing law establishes various programs intended to promote the development of affordable housing, including the Multifamily Housing Program, under which the Department of Housing and Community Development provides financial assistance in the form of deferred payment loans to pay for the eligible costs of certain housing development activities.
This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to establish a grant program to fund broadband adoption, digital literacy, and computer equipment for eligible publicly supported communities, as defined. The bill would require the department to award grants to eligible publicly supported communities for the purpose of providing either one-time funding for computer equipment and to establish computer labs or ongoing funding for up to 3 years for broadband service and digital literacy programs.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)To close the digital divide in California, it is critical for the state to take a leadership role and do all it can to encourage Californians to adopt broadband in order to effectively implement distance learning for K12 students during the COVID-19 pandemic, assist the unemployed and underemployed Californians to seek employment opportunities, allow employees to work from the home, and use telemedicine to the greatest extent possible.
(b)All state agencies must proactively use the resources available to them to encourage Californians to adopt broadband. The Public Utilities Commission should provide residents in public housing with the ability to participate online for learning and employment opportunities.
(c)The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed Californias vulnerabilities to major social and economic disruptions. Those persons, businesses, and entities that adopted broadband before the pandemic have fared significantly better than those that have not accepted the digital world. It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature that state government take an active role to close the digital divide by connecting as many Californians as possible with to the internet with the resources available.
1651.For purposes of this chapter:
(a)Farmworker housing has the same definition as in subdivision (h) of Section 50199.7 of the Health and Safety Code.
(a)(b)Program means the program established by the commission pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1652.
(b)(c)Publicly subsidized means either that the housing development receives financial assistance from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to an annual contribution contract or is financed with low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, or local, state, or federal loans or grants and the rents of the occupants, who are lower income households, do not exceed those prescribed by deed restrictions or regulatory agreements pursuant to the terms of the financing or financial assistance.
(c)(d)Publicly supported community means a publicly subsidized multifamily housing development that is wholly owned by either of the following:
(1)A public housing agency that has been chartered by the state, or by any city or county in the state, and has been determined to be an eligible public housing agency by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(2)An incorporated nonprofit organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3)) that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of that code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(a)), and that has received public funding to subsidize the construction or maintenance of housing occupied by residents whose annual income qualifies as low or very low income according to federal poverty guidelines.
1652.(a)The commission shall establish and administer a grant program to fund broadband adoption, digital literacy, and computer equipment for any publicly supported communities community, low-income mobilehome park, or farmworker housing pursuant to this chapter.
(b)The program shall award grants to eligible publicly supported communities communities, low-income mobilehome parks, and farmworker housing for the purpose of providing either or both of the following:
(1)One-time funding Funding for computer equipment and to establish computer labs.
(2)Ongoing funding for up to three years for broadband service and digital literacy programs.
1653.Implementation of this chapter shall be subject to an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of developing and implementing the program.
REVISIONS: HeadingLine 2. CORRECTIONS: HeadingLine 2.The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)To close the digital divide in California, it is critical for the state to take a leadership role and do all it can to encourage Californians to adopt broadband in order to effectively implement distance learning for K12 students during the COVID-19 pandemic, assist the unemployed and underemployed Californians to seek employment opportunities, allow employees to work from the home, and use telemedicine to the greatest extent possible.
(b)All state agencies must proactively use the resources available to them to encourage Californians to adopt broadband. The Public Utilities Commission should provide residents in public housing with the ability to participate online for learning and employment opportunities.
(c)The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed Californias vulnerabilities to major social and economic disruptions. Those persons, businesses, and entities that adopted broadband before the pandemic have fared significantly better than those that have not accepted the digital world. It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature that state government take an active role to close the digital divide by connecting as many Californians as possible with the internet with the resources available.
50241.1651.For purposes of this chapter:
(a)Commission means the Public Utilities Commission.(b)(a)Program means the program established by the commission pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 50242. 1652.
(c)(b)Publicly subsidized means either that the housing development receives financial assistance from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to an annual contribution contract or is financed with low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, or local, state, or federal loans or grants and the rents of the occupants, who are lower income households, do not exceed those prescribed by deed restrictions or regulatory agreements pursuant to the terms of the financing or financial assistance.
(d)(c)Publicly supported community means a publicly subsidized multifamily housing development that is wholly owned by either of the following:
(1)A public housing agency that has been chartered by the state, or by any city or county in the state, and has been determined to be an eligible public housing agency by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(2)An incorporated nonprofit organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3)) that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of that code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(a)), and that has received public funding to subsidize the construction or maintenance of housing occupied by residents whose annual income qualifies as low or very low income according to federal poverty guidelines.
50242.1652.(a)The commission shall establish and administer a grant program to fund broadband adoption, digital literacy, and computer equipment for publicly supported communities pursuant to this chapter.
(b)The program shall award grants to eligible publicly supported communities for the purpose of providing either both of the following:
(1)One-time funding for computer equipment and to establish computer labs.
(2)Ongoing funding for up to three years for broadband service and digital literacy programs.
50243.1653.Implementation of this chapter shall be subject to an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of developing and implementing the program.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)To close the digital divide in California, it is critical for the state to take a leadership role and do all it can to encourage Californians to adopt broadband in order to effectively implement distance learning for K12 students during the COVID-19 pandemic, assist the unemployed and underemployed Californians to seek employment opportunities, allow employees to work from the home, and use telemedicine to the greatest extent possible.
(b)All state agencies must proactively use the resources available to them to encourage Californians to adopt broadband. The Department of Housing and Community Development Public Utilities Commission should provide residents in public housing with the ability to participate online for learning and employment opportunities.
(c)The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed Californias vulnerabilities to major social and economic disruptions. Those persons, businesses, and entities that adopted broadband before the pandemic have fared significantly better than those that have not accepted the digital world. It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature that state government take an active role to close the digital divide by connecting as many Californians as possible with the internet with the resources available.
50856.50241.For purposes of this chapter:
(a)Department Commission means the Department of Housing and Community Development. Public Utilities Commission.
(b)Program means the program established by the department commission pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 50857. 50242.
(c)Publicly subsidized means either that the housing development receives financial assistance from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to an annual contribution contract or is financed with low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, or local, state, or federal loans or grants and the rents of the occupants, who are lower income households, do not exceed those prescribed by deed restrictions or regulatory agreements pursuant to the terms of the financing or financial assistance.
(d)Publicly supported community means a publicly subsidized multifamily housing development that is wholly owned by either of the following:
(1)A public housing agency that has been chartered by the state, or by any city or county in the state, and has been determined to be an eligible public housing agency by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(2)An incorporated nonprofit organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3)) that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of that code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(a)), and that has received public funding to subsidize the construction or maintenance of housing occupied by residents whose annual income qualifies as low or very low income according to federal poverty guidelines.
50857.50242.(a)The department commission shall establish and administer a grant program to fund broadband adoption, digital literacy, and computer equipment for publicly supported communities pursuant to this chapter.
(b)The program shall award grants to eligible publicly supported communities for the purpose of providing either of the following:
(1)One-time funding for computer equipment and to establish computer labs.
(2)Ongoing funding for up to three years for broadband service and digital literacy programs.
50858.50243.Implementation of this chapter shall be subject to an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of developing and implementing the program.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a)To close the digital divide in California, it is critical for the state to take a leadership role and do all it can to encourage Californians to adopt broadband in order to effectively implement distance learning for K12 students during the COVID-19 pandemic, assist the unemployed and underemployed Californians to seek employment opportunities, allow employees to work from the home, and use telemedicine to the greatest extent possible.
(b)All state agencies must proactively use the resources available to them to encourage Californians to adopt broadband. The Department of Housing and Community Development should provide residents in public housing with the ability to participate online for learning and employment opportunities.
(c)The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed Californias vulnerabilities to major social and economic disruptions. Those persons, businesses, and entities that adopted broadband before the pandemic have fared significantly better than those that have not accepted the digital world. It is, therefore, the intent of the Legislature that state government take an active role to close the digital divide by connecting as many Californians as possible with the internet with the resources available.
50856.For purposes of this chapter:
(a)Department means the Department of Housing and Community Development.
(b)Program means the program established by the department pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 50857.
(c)Publicly subsidized means either that the housing development receives financial assistance from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to an annual contribution contract or is financed with low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, or local, state, or federal loans or grants and the rents of the occupants, who are lower income households, do not exceed those prescribed by deed restrictions or regulatory agreements pursuant to the terms of the financing or financial assistance.
(d)Publicly supported community means a publicly subsidized multifamily housing development that is wholly owned by either of the following:
(1)A public housing agency that has been chartered by the state, or by any city or county in the state, and has been determined to be an eligible public housing agency by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(2)An incorporated nonprofit organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3)) that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of that code (26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(a)), and that has received public funding to subsidize the construction or maintenance of housing occupied by residents whose annual income qualifies as low or very low income according to federal poverty guidelines.
50857.(a)The department shall establish and administer a grant program to fund broadband adoption, digital literacy, and computer equipment for publicly supported communities pursuant to this chapter.
(b)The program shall award grants to eligible publicly supported communities for the purpose of providing either of the following:
(1)One-time funding for computer equipment and to establish computer labs.
(2)Ongoing funding for up to three years for broadband service and digital literacy programs.
50858.Implementation of this chapter shall be subject to an appropriation of funds by the Legislature for purposes of developing and implementing the program.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Aug 26, 2021 | August 26 hearing: Held in committee and under submission. |
| Aug 19, 2021 | August 19 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file. |
| Jul 13, 2021 | Coauthors revised. |
| Jul 5, 2021 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on H. & C.D. |
| Jun 23, 2021 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on H. & C.D. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (June 23). Re-referred to Com. on H. & C.D. |
| Jun 3, 2021 | Referred to Coms. on C. & C. and H. & C.D. |
| May 26, 2021 | In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. |
| May 26, 2021 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 1256.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| May 20, 2021 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 1202.) (May 20). |
| May 14, 2021 | Set for hearing May 20. |
| May 10, 2021 | May 10 hearing: Placed on APPR suspense file. |
| Apr 30, 2021 | Set for hearing May 10. |
| Apr 27, 2021 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0. Page 916.) (April 26). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
| Apr 21, 2021 | Set for hearing April 26. |
| Apr 19, 2021 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on E., U. & C. |
| Apr 6, 2021 | Re-referred to Com. on E., U. & C. |
| Apr 5, 2021 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on HOUSING. |
| Apr 5, 2021 | April 15 set for first hearing canceled at the request of author. |
| Mar 16, 2021 | Set for hearing April 15. |
| Mar 3, 2021 | Referred to Coms. on HOUSING and E., U. & C. |
| Feb 22, 2021 | Art. IV. Sec. 8(a) of the Constitution dispensed with. |
| Feb 22, 2021 | From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 24. |
| Feb 19, 2021 | Introduced. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| May 26, 2021 | Senate 3rd Reading SB743 Bradford | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
