Technology (Broadband Access)

signed · Minnesota · House Aug 1, 2026

HF 4052: Various provisions governing telephone company regulation, facilities and property, pricing plans, service classification, and reporting requirements.

This bill updates Minnesota telecommunications regulations by clarifying rules for telephone companies, including requirements for law enforcement access to call information, annual reporting, and customer pricing notices. It directly affects telephone service providers and their customers by establishing clearer obligations for how companies must handle service requests, billing information, and compliance with federal universal service programs for schools and libraries. The legislation also repeals several outdated statutes related to public payphones and other legacy regulations to simplify the legal framework governing telephone services in the state.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens telecommunications regulations, clarifies consumer protections, and establishes clearer obligations for service providers regarding billing, service requests, and compliance with universal service programs for schools and libraries.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 26, 2025

HF 2869: Survivor employment readiness pilot program funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 2869 appropriates $1 million from the general fund for fiscal year 2026 to create a survivor employment readiness pilot program. The funding supports Avivo, a nonprofit, in providing direct services to survivors of sex trafficking and domestic abuse as they seek employment. Key provisions include covering costs for childcare, transportation, housing, legal aid, interview clothing, technology, and Internet access, while also requiring public outreach and corporate training about survivors' workforce reentry challenges. This is a one-time appropriation, specifically targeting services statewide with continued focus in the St. Cloud area.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M from general fund for survivor employment program, directly increasing state spending on social services per budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds employment services for sex trafficking/domestic abuse survivors, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of victim rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through reintegration support.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds housing costs (alongside childcare, transportation) for survivors in employment program, directly advancing housing access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds employment services (childcare, legal aid, interview clothing) for survivors of trafficking/domestic abuse, directly advancing workforce participation and removing employment barriers.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds technology and internet access as part of employment services for survivors, directly advancing digital access for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Human Trafficking Probation & Parole Broadband Access

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 10, 2025

SF 2312: Survivor employment readiness pilot project appropriation

SF 2312 appropriates $1 million from the general fund for a one-time pilot program to support survivors of sex trafficking and domestic abuse in finding employment. The funds will go to Avivo, a nonprofit, to provide direct services like childcare, transportation, housing, legal aid, interview clothing, technology, and internet access statewide. The program also includes public outreach and corporate training to help employers understand the challenges survivors face when reentering the workforce. This pilot specifically continues work in the greater St. Cloud area and is limited to fiscal year 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M from general fund for survivor employment pilot, directly funding essential human services program under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds housing services as direct support for survivors, advancing affordable housing access through targeted program allocation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds employment services (childcare, transport, legal aid) for survivors to reenter workforce, directly advancing employment access for vulnerable workers.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds technology and internet access for survivors' employment support, directly expanding digital access as part of job readiness services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Apr 21, 2025

HF 3218: E-learning day requirements modified, and terms and conditions of employment for school employees modified.

HF 3218 modifies Minnesota's e-learning day requirements and clarifies employment terms for school staff. It requires school boards to consult with teacher representatives (or teachers directly if no union exists) when creating e-learning plans, mandating accommodations for students without internet access, digital devices, or disabilities. The bill also amends employment terms to explicitly include adult-to-student ratios and student testing for school employees, while clarifying that staffing ratios are excluded. These changes take effect for plans and agreements beginning July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates accommodations for students lacking internet/devices and requires teacher consultation in e-learning plans, advancing educational access and teacher collaboration.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates accommodations for students without internet access, promoting digital equity in e-learning requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Broadband Access

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SF 704: Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act

SF 704, the Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Prevention Act, requires manufacturers and sellers of internet-enabled devices (like smartphones and computers) to include default filters that block websites known to facilitate human trafficking, prostitution, or display harmful content to minors. The law defines "obscene" material to include sites promoting trafficking, escort services, or depicting sadomasochistic abuse or revenge pornography without consent. It directly affects device manufacturers, retailers, and consumers by mandating these default blocking capabilities for personal devices sold in Minnesota. The bill also requires reports on implementation and establishes new rules under Minnesota Statutes chapter 609, focusing on preventing online exploitation without broadly restricting internet access.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates default filters on devices to block trafficking/exploitation sites, regulating tech companies for child safety and consumer protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Feb 17, 2025

HF 951: Sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications or pay television services machinery and equipment modified.

HF 951 modifies Minnesota's sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications and pay television service providers. The bill expands the existing exemption to explicitly include equipment purchased or leased by contractors or subcontractors working for these providers, clarifying that such purchases qualify for tax exemption. Key provisions define covered equipment broadly, including network hardware (routers, fiber, satellites), transportation tools (microwave equipment), and essential support systems (power supplies, HVAC). This change takes effect for transactions after June 30, 2025, directly affecting telecom and pay TV companies purchasing qualifying infrastructure.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExpands tax exemption for telecom equipment, reducing state sales tax revenue. Directly alters tax policy without fiscal responsibility justification, weakening tax collection.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands tax exemption for telecom equipment, reducing costs for providers and supporting infrastructure investment in telecommunications technology.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SF 2889: Office of Broadband Development renamed the Office of Broadband Development and Digital Equity authorization; office duties and reporting requirements modification; state's broadband goals expansion; multifamily dwelling grant program establishment; definitions for the purpose of broadband development modification

This bill renames Minnesota's Office of Broadband Development to the Office of Broadband Development and Digital Equity and expands its mission to explicitly include digital equity. It establishes a new grant program to fund broadband installation in multifamily housing units, modifies the office's duties to better coordinate statewide broadband planning, and updates definitions related to broadband access. The office must now report annually on progress toward expanded state broadband goals that prioritize underserved communities. These changes directly affect local governments, broadband providers, and residents in areas lacking reliable high-speed internet access.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands broadband access via grants, adds digital equity to mission, and updates statewide goals - directly advancing internet access and digital equity policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

Track

in committee · Minnesota · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SF 868: Broadband grants used for fixed wireless broadband authorization and broadband mapping requirements clarification provision

SF 868 amends Minnesota law to allow state broadband grants to fund fixed wireless broadband projects, which were not explicitly covered under previous rules. It also updates broadband mapping requirements to require that maps include fixed wireless coverage, ensuring a more accurate public view of broadband availability across the state. This change directly affects broadband providers using fixed wireless technology and communities in underserved areas defined by the bill (where households lack 100/20 Mbps service). The bill clarifies existing programs without creating new funding, focusing on expanding eligibility for grants and improving data transparency for infrastructure planning.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllows state broadband grants for fixed wireless projects, expands access in underserved areas through updated mapping requirements95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 13, 2025

HF 2279: Office of Broadband Development renamed to Office of Broadband Development and Digital Equity, duties and reporting requirements modified, state's broadband goals expanded, multifamily dwelling grant program established, and definitions amended.

This bill renames Minnesota's Office of Broadband Development to the Office of Broadband Development and Digital Equity, expanding its focus to include digital inclusion and equity alongside broadband access. It establishes a new grant program to help multifamily housing buildings (like apartment complexes) improve broadband connectivity, directly benefiting renters in underserved communities. The bill also updates the office's duties to coordinate statewide broadband planning, monitor progress toward expanded state goals (including rural access), and modify reporting requirements. These changes aim to ensure fairer access to digital tools for all Minnesotans, particularly in areas currently lacking reliable high-speed internet.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRenames office to include digital equity, expands broadband goals, establishes multifamily grant program for underserved renters, and updates duties to prioritize digital inclusion.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

Track

in committee · Minnesota · House Mar 26, 2025

HF 2875: Crime of damage or theft to telecommunications equipment extended to broadband and cable services.

HF 2875 extends Minnesota's existing crime statute for damaging telecommunications equipment to specifically include broadband and cable services. The bill amends Minnesota Statutes § 609.593 by adding "broadband services" and "cable services" to the list of protected infrastructure, which previously covered only traditional telecommunications. This means intentional damage to equipment like routers, cables, fiber lines, or poles used for broadband or cable services would now be punishable under the same criminal penalties. The change directly affects individuals who damage such infrastructure, making these acts subject to criminal prosecution.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExtends criminal protection to broadband/cable infrastructure, safeguarding technology services from intentional damage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

Track