I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:
Sponsored by Rep. Samakab Hussein (DFL-St. Paul), HF3004, as amended, would appropriate $1.3 million in Fiscal Year 2027 for a central digital platform to provide youth with information on internships, mentorships and job opportunities across the state.
Broadband Communities reports…
Requirements asking providers to submit written statements pledging not to take additional subsidies to complete and operate BEAD projects have had a chilling effect, according to Bree Maki, the director of Minnesota’s office of broadband development.
Maki made the comments in her recent appearance on Beyond the Cable, a Broadband Communities podcast.
She said providers using subsidies from the Universal Service Fund have been most hesitant to participate in the government’s $42.45 billion broadband spend, known as the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
“There’s just a level of uncertainty,” she said, referencing the announcement from Arielle Roth last November directing states to obtain the written statements.
You can listen to the full interview below.
Opponents of so-called hyperscale data centers are calling on Minnesota lawmakers to adopt stronger regulations this session, including a two-year pause in new construction.
They say requirements for data centers that the Legislature passed last year aren’t enough to protect communities, residents and the environment from the potential negative impacts of the mega-sized facilities.
“We have no regulatory framework in place to protect our communities and the environment from the detrimental impacts of these facilities,” Eleanor Dolan of Duluth said at a rally Wednesday at the state Capitol.
Data centers are large warehouses that store computer servers and power artificial intelligence. The largest ones cover over a million square feet — the equivalent of dozens of football fields.
Data center developers promise they’ll bring jobs, economic growth and tax revenue. But opponents have voiced concerns about the vast amount of energy and water they consume, plus potential air, noise and light pollution.
Only one hyperscale data center — a Meta facility in Rosemount — is currently under construction in Minnesota. But there are at least a dozen proposed in the state.
Several are in the south Twin Cities metro. But others are in small cities, such as Hermantown, Pine Island and Cannon Falls.
I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:
From the MN Senate…
Senators Wiklund, Xiong, and Lucero introduced–S.F. No. 3863: A bill for an act relating to state government; extending the Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 3.888, subdivision 7.Referred to the Committee on State and Local Government.
I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:
From MN Senate…
Senators McEwen, Johnson Stewart, and Maye Quade introduced–S.F. No. 3968: A bill for an act relating to energy; requiring preapplication filings for large water appropriation projects; adding information to permit applications for large water appropriation projects; specifying the level of environmental review for data centers; removing data centers’ energy consumption from the calculation of a utility’s energy savings goal; exempting data centers from making financial contributions to an energy conservation and optimization plan; depositing fee revenues in an account to be used for energy conservation; modifying the definition of large energy facility; establishing energy requirements for data centers; imposing a fee on data centers; requiring the Public Utilities Commission to establish a new tariff for data centers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 103G.265, by adding a subdivision; 103G.271, by adding a subdivision; 116D.04, by adding a subdivision; 216B.2402, subdivision 10; 216B.241, subdivisions 1a, 2a; 216B.2421, subdivision 2; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 216B.Referred to the Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate.
From the Office of Broadband Development…
Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates
- Coming soon! 2026 Broadband Development Training Series
- Line Extension Connection Program updates
- Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) in Minnesota
- Broadband Task Force, February meeting recap
- In the news, Bree Maki: Got broadband? If no, it may arrive later this year
Executive Director, Bree Maki, presented Office of Broadband Development legislative updates to the Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee, Wednesday February 18 and the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee, Monday February 23.
Recordings and materials from both are available in the archives on the Senate webpage and House webpage.
Coming soon! 2026 Broadband Development Training Series
OBD has been working alongside other state agencies on streamlining environmental reviews and permitting efforts for broadband infrastructure projects across Minnesota. Those updates will be presented to community partners through a revised Broadband Development Training Series: Navigating PLUS (Permitting, Land Use, and State Systems).
The revised series will feature a combination of updates from previous presenters and new information from partner agencies with resources for broadband program grantees. Registration information for the webinar sessions will be posted alongside the materials from the original 2024 series on the OBD Webinars and Recorded Events webpage.
Line Extension Connection Program updates
Registration remains open for residents and businesses for future rounds of the Line Extension Connection Program. More information and the registration page is available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage.
For assistance completing the application or to request a paper form to complete please call 651-259-7610 or email DEED.broadband@state.mn.us.
OBD expects to run a fifth round of Line Extension with state project funds in Spring 2026 and is currently in the process of rolling out awards and getting confirmation of award acceptance from providers for Round 4. Preliminary awards will be published to the Line Extension Connection Program webpage later this week.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) in Minnesota
OBD continues to update the OBD BEAD webpage as resources are made available. This includes:
- Build America Buy America (BABA) waivers, trackers, and other resources, including new BEAD BABA FAQs
- Updated NTIA BEAD FAQs (2/3/2026).
On December 19, 2025, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Minnesota’s BEAD Final Proposal, advancing the state’s plan to expand high‑speed internet with federal funding. Following extensive engagement, restructuring, and over 18 rounds of curing, Minnesota has been initially approved for:
- $378.9 million in BEAD subgrants across 94 projects. These projects are supported by nearly $190 million in matching funds, representing a total anticipated investment of more than $568.8 million
- Funds will connect connect 74,739 locations
On Monday February 9, 2026 OBD received its BEAD Notice of Award (NoA) from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Next steps will include contracting with subgrantees, which must be completed within 6 months of receipt of the NoA.
Broadband Task Force, February meeting recap
The Broadband Task Force met Wednesday February 18 at 10 a.m. The Task Force heard presentations from Tabetha Brockman (Assistant Professor of Psychology, Program Manager, Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS) Rural Health Research Core) and Ilaya Rome Hopkins (Community Engagement Coordinator, MCCCC & CCaTS Rural Health Research Core) on Rural Health Research: Understanding Digital Access to Improve Community Health. Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Member, Ini Augustine (Chief Executive Officer, Technologist Computers), presented on the Neighbors Connect Digital Access Program.
More information on this and past meetings can be found on the Broadband Task Force webpage.
In the news, Bree Maki: Got broadband? If no, it may arrive later this year
Executive Director, Bree Maki, discussed the state of broadband access in Minnesota in Rochester’s Post-Bulletin, noting:
“Broadband is an absolute necessity in today’s world. Nearly every family relies on fast internet to connect to work, school, health care, entertainment, friends and family. Minnesota businesses need it to reach customers, compete locally or globally, and grow. It allows people to live and work where they wish to across the state. But too many Minnesotans still don’t have access to broadband.”
The full op-ed is available online here.
I am going to try to at least track the bills that get introduced that are at all related to broadband and/or broadband use. I may not follow all closely. Click the bill number for more info and updates:
Freiberg introduced:
HF. 3736,A bill for an act relating to state government; allowing meetings by interactive technology for certain meetings; naming a state board created by the Minnesota Constitution; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 9.021; 11A.03; 94.341.
Midwest FiberPath says it will build a 1,200-mile multi-conduit long-haul backbone intended to support the increased traffic created by artificial intelligence (AI) in east-west and north-south directions in the Midwest. It will provide what it describes as next-generation carrier mesh diversity.
More details…
The long-haul topography will have three primary corridors:
Joliet, Illinois to Des Moines, Iowa to Council Bluffs, Iowa: This multi-conduit route will support hyperscale east-west traffic fabrics between Chicago interconnection ecosystems and numerous Iowa compute campuses.
Minneapolis, Minnesota to Des Moines, Iowa to Kansas City, Missouri: This corridor, also multi-conduit, will run north-south and enable regional mesh diversity and alternative long-haul routing across the central U.S.
Minneapolis, Minnesota to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Joliet, Illinois: This will be a diagonal extension reinforcing Iowa as a center-node aggregation point for multi-directional traffic exchange.
Public Knowledge has new research on Diversity in Early-Career Tech Policy Roles: Surveying Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Field. Here’s the executive summary…
In 2021, Public Knowledge published the first iteration of this study, led by Tsion Tesfaye, which identified structural barriers to diversity in early-career technology policy roles: reliance on narrow networks, exclusionary job descriptions, inequities in compensation, and the absence of robust demographic data collection. These findings informed Public Knowledge’s own Equity Council, partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and adjustments to hiring practices.
In 2025, amid heightened political scrutiny and dismantling of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, this updated study expands the scope and methodology. We surveyed 13 technology policy organizations and convened 17 early-career technology policy professionals. Key insights include:
Recruitment remains narrow. Job opportunities remain largely circulated within organizational websites and established networks, with limited outreach to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), affinity groups, or community-based organizations, which continues to restrict access for underrepresented candidates.
On-ramps are improving but remain inequitable. Paid internships are now the dominant early-career on-ramp, but few organizations offer externships or other pathways, and financial barriers still shape who can participate.
Bias-reduction is partial. Structured interviews are widely used to reduce bias, yet practices such as blind resume reviews, scoring rubrics, and diverse interview panels are inconsistently adopted across organizations.
Policies outpace practice. Most organizations report having formal inclusivity policies, but the effectiveness of these policies in improving diverse hiring is mixed, and demographic data collection remains uneven.
Retention depends on clarity. Mentorship and sponsorship programs are the most common strategies for retention, though early-career professionals emphasized the need for clear promotion pathways, stronger onboarding processes, and opportunities to build policy-writing skills.
Leadership representation lags. Diversity in leadership and decision making spaces remains limited, with many early-career professionals reporting that their lived experiences are only sometimes recognized or valued.
The external climate is chilling. Organizations report mixed effects from the external political climate, with most seeing little impact but some noting that federal and state-level legal and regulatory backlash of DEI has created hesitancy around data collection and public commitments
Today, the Office of Broadband Development presents to MN House Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy:
Monday, February 23, 2026, 1:00 PM
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Co-Chair: Rep. Paul Anderson holds the gavel
Co-Chair: Rep. Rick Hansen
Location: Capitol G3
The presentation will look remarkably similar to the recent presentation given to the Senate Committee last week.
*this is a link to the live video, broadband starts around 3:15. I will replace this with the archive video once available.
QUESTIONS:
An opportunity from the MN Boards & Commission…
Technology Advisory Council
Vacancies: 1 Seat — State Agency Business Planning – Member
More info…
MembershipThe Council will be comprised of the following voting members:a. Fifteen voting members:i. Membership includes one member designated by Minnesota Association of Counties; six members appointed by the governor, who are actively involved in business planning for state executive branches; one member appointed by the governor, representative of union that represents state information technology employees; and one member appointed by the governor who is a representative of private business.ii. Six additional members selected by the Governor and LieutenantGovernor with private-sector or public-sector IT experience orexperience in academia pertaining to ITb. Four ex-officio non-voting members:i. A member of the Minnesota House of Representatives selected by theSpeaker of the Houseii. A member of the Minnesota House of Representatives selected by theMinority Leaderiii. A member of the Minnesota Senate selected by the Majority Leaderiv. A member of the Minnesota Senate selected by the Minority LeaderThe Governor and Lieutenant Governor will designate one of the fifteen votingmembers to serve as the Council’s Chair.
Private Business Representative Private Business Representative Governor 8/18/2025
And
State Agency Business Planning – Member State Agency Business Planning – Member #6 Governor 3/16/2026
Minnesota has a Technology Advisory Council (TAC). The release an annual report. For someone (like me) who attends all of the MN Broadband Task Force meetings, it’s a next step of sorts of looking to what’s coming toward us and how the state can maximize benefits and minimize risk. Also, from someone who attended the broadband meetings, the discussions happening at the TAC shine a light on the need for ubiquitous broadband. Here’s the executive summary…
Technology shapes how Minnesotans access essential government services — from childcare and healthcare to public safety, licensing, and regulatory oversight. As expectations for speed, security, and transparency rise — and as cyber threats, artificial intelligence, and federal funding uncertainty intensify — Minnesota must modernize in ways that deliver clear public value while protecting privacy, security, and public trust.
The legislature established the TAC in 2021 to provide strategic guidance to MNIT and executive branch agencies on enterprise technology priorities. Drawing on expertise from across the public and private sectors, the TAC helps the state reduce systemic risk, modernize responsibly, and align technology investments with legislative intent and statewide goals. In 2025, the TAC focused on strengthening the enterprise foundations required for effective, accountable government. Building on prior recommendations, the TAC emphasized governance-driven approaches that move Minnesota beyond isolated projects toward durable, scalable capabilities. Across all focus areas, a consistent theme emerged: Lasting public value depends on shared standards, coordinated execution, and sustained investment in people, data, and security. The TAC’s work in 2025 centered on four priority areas:
Advancing responsible artificial intelligence
Minnesota continued to lead in responsible AI adoption by strengthening enterprise governance, shared standards, and workforce readiness. Rather than pursuing AI for its own sake, agencies applied AI to clearly defined use cases that improve efficiency and decision-making while maintaining transparency, auditability, and alignment with Minnesota values.
Reinforcing cybersecurity and operational resilience
In response to an evolving threat landscape — including emerging risks such as quantum computing — and shifting federal support, the TAC prioritized a whole-of-state cybersecurity model. This approach emphasizes shared intelligence, coordinated response, and workforce development to reduce risk and protect critical services across state, local, Tribal Nations, and critical infrastructure partners.
Strengthening data sharing and evidence-based decision-making
The TAC emphasized the need for a coordinated, enterprise approach to data stewardship and sharing. Stronger leadership, clearer legal frameworks, and improved data quality enable agencies to collaborate more effectively, reduce duplication, and deliver faster, more seamless services — while protecting privacy and security.
Modernizing service delivery through product and experience
Recognizing that human-centered services depend on strong product and agile practices, the TAC advanced recommendations to modernize procurement, funding models, leadership engagement, and workforce capacity — shifting government from project completion to sustained value delivery.
The report goes on to provide recommendations for each area.
The Office of Broadband Development presents to MN House Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy…
Monday, February 23, 2026 , 1:00 PM
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Co-Chair: Rep. Paul Anderson holds the gavel
Co-Chair: Rep. Rick Hansen
Location: Capitol G3
Agenda:Please note: Eligibility for the Dairy Assistance, Investment, Relief Initiative (DAIRI) program modified, now HF 3508 (Nelson), is removed from the agenda.
– Update from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband DevelopmentBills Added
HF3548(Anderson)
Farm down payment assistance program modified.HF3549(Anderson)
Use of the grain indemnity account modified.Committee Documents:
(2/20/2026)
(2/20/2026)
(2/20/2026)
(2/20/2026)
Last year, I noticed a number of local discussion and event seminars on data centers looking to set up iin various Minnestoa towns. With the legislature in session, I suspect we’ll see a few more opinions shared in the near future. The following is an Opinion piece written to the Minnesota Star Tribune…
Put simply, data center proposals are moving faster than policy in Minnesota. The speed of AI investments in data centers is outstripping the ability of the state and communities to protect themselves from their rapacious demands. We need a pause. We are calling on the Legislature to pass a two-year moratorium on data centers so that policymakers can catch up with this fast-moving industry. In those two years, the state should develop recommendations on policies to protect our natural resources and communities. They should look at the potential cumulative impacts of multiple proposed data centers, and they should develop a statewide strategy on where and how we will allow this industry to develop in our state.
Our organizations are tracking at least 21 potential data center proposals. Minnesotans from around the state are calling our organizations daily, concerned about known or suspected data center proposals in their communities. We say “suspected” because, in many cases, it is quite hard to know what is actually being proposed. These projects are moving forward under a cloak of secrecy, often described in vague terms such as “technology park” or “light industrial development.” Even when city officials state that it is a data center, it’s often hard to get details beyond that basic fact.
The letter was submitted by the following…
Organizations that are signatories to this article include the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, CURE, the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Mississippi River, Stop the Hermantown Data Center, the Coalition for Responsible Data Center Development, Vote Solar, WaterLegacy and Clean Water Action.
KWLM 96.3 Lakeland Media reports…
The Willmar City Council this week approved issuing bonds for Phase 1 of the Willmar Connect broadband project. Phase 1 will involved laying fiber optic cable to every home and business south of Highway 12 and west of 1st Street, then leasing the cable to any company interested in providing internet service. The bond approved Tuesday is for 9.2 million dollars, and City Operations Director Kyle Box says the bond would be repaid through revenues generated by leasing the network to the internet service providers…
…Box says it is estimated the Willmar Connect project will not cash flow until after Phase Two is up and operating in a few years…
…Box says it is hoped the contractor can begin work on Phase One later this year.