BEAM; protect proprietary information and amend digital skills grant.

SB 2366 amends Mississippi's broadband grant laws to clarify and expand the authority of the Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM). It directly affects broadband providers, government entities, and communities lacking adequate internet access by expanding definitions of "applicant" and "eligible project," allowing BEAM to more effectively manage federal grant funds. Key provisions include authorizing BEAM to receive federal broadband grant funds, adding confidentiality protections for proprietary information, requiring a 60-day comment period for preliminary grant awards, and mandating Governor notification before distributing funds. The bill aims to streamline grant processes but died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.