Technology (Rural Communities)

SB 62 authorizes the state to issue bonds up to a specified amount to fund high-speed broadband improvements in rural areas. The proceeds will be distributed as grants by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to enhance and extend broadband internet and cellular service access. This bill directly affects rural communities by targeting funding to address connectivity gaps in underserved areas. It creates a mechanism for state financial support through bond issuance, with no specific dollar amount listed in the proposed text. The policy change focuses on expanding infrastructure access, not on regulatory or tax measures.