1.2relating to broadband; appropriating money for broadband service mapping.
1.3BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4    Section 1. BROADBAND SERVICE MAPPING; APPROPRIATION.
1.5$450,000 is appropriated in fiscal year 2015 from the general fund to the
1.6commissioner of employment and economic development for the purpose of funding one
1.7or more contracts with an independent organization to continue to:
1.8(1) collect broadband deployment data from Minnesota providers, verify its accuracy
1.9through on-the-ground testing, and create state and county maps available to the public
1.10showing the availability of broadband service at various upload and download speeds
1.11throughout Minnesota, in order to measure progress in achieving the state's broadband
1.12goals established in Minnesota Statutes, section 237.012;
1.13(2) analyze the deployment data collected to help inform future investments in
1.14broadband infrastructure; and
1.15(3) conduct business and residential surveys that measure broadband adoption and
1.16use in the state.
1.17EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective the day following final enactment.

1.18    Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
1.19$250,000 is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2015 to the
1.20commissioner of employment and economic development for an evaluation of the future
1.21federal financial support for broadband infrastructure deployment in rural Minnesota. The
1.22commissioner shall develop state strategies to maximize federal financial assistance for
2.1broadband infrastructure deployment in rural Minnesota. The commissioner shall develop
2.2state policy alternatives to respond to possible changes in federal telecommunications
2.3regulation and funding level reductions that impact deployment of broadband
2.4infrastructure in rural Minnesota. The commissioner may contract for the performance of
2.5any or all of the commissioner's duties under this section.