Usually, the eNews gets published here and posted as a newsletter for folks who have signed up. The email function is being upgraded and will likely not happen today.
MN Broadband Task Force meeting March 2025: presentation from DNR and updates
The MN Broadband Task Force gave Diane Wells a nice sendoff. They also heard from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on rights of way and permitting processes and issues.
MN Broadband related or tangential bills
There are a few bills going through the legislature right now that could have an impact on broadband deployment, use or access. The State News below includes links to the numerous bills related to broadband going through the Legislature including:
- HF974 / SF 2045: to allow local franchising authorities to franchise broadband, helping to ensure more equitable broadband deployment across the state.
- HF2279 / SF2889: to expand the name and duties of the state’s Office of Broadband Development
- HF47 / SF908: provisions governing the certification of underground telecommunications installers modified.
State News
- New bill SF3056 would change tax social media companies for collecting data on MN consumers
- Arvig reports on reports on Line Extension grants and plans for broadband expansion
- Gov Tech reports on HF2279: expanding the name and duties of the state’s Office of Broadband Development
- MN House introduces HF2875: extending crime to telecommunications equipment and broadband services
- Institute for Local Self Reliance conversation on MN’s broadband workforce law (HF47/SF908)
- Gigi Sohn counters recent opinion piece in Star Tribune questioning the need for public funding for broadband
- League of MN Cities recap on SF2045: Community TV grants and HF1740 Equal access to broadband bill
- 37 providers on the Minnesota BEAD Approved Applicant list
- MN Legislative Audit Commission hears from MN DEED and MN Office of Broadband Development
- MN Senate Media Upgrade makes it easier to stay civically engaged
- MN Senate bill SF2045: Equal Access to Broadband Act provision is held over
- MN House bill HF1289: warning on social media bill sent to the House Health Finance and Policy Committee
- Digital equity the objective of proposed state broadband office expansion
- MN House Bill laid over for possible inclusion in future bill: HF2279: expanding name and duties of the Office of Broadband Development
- MN House and Senate Ag budgets are looking very different
- MN House Agriculture and broadband finance and bills bill is held over
- What is local match for MN broadband grants?
- MN House Ag Bill proposes $17 million – $2 million for broadband development
- MN broadband providers are excited for BEAD funding and wary about state requirements
- Broadband Breakfast on Minnesota’s broadband installer training requirements
- Bill introduced in MN House: HF2279 Renaming and modifying Office of Broadband Development
- Bill introduced in MN House: HF2172 extending medical assistance coverage of audio-only telehealth
- Bill introduced in MN House: FH2231: authorizing online publication of public notices when no qualified newspaper is available for local governments
- Open meeting laws unlimited remote participation authorization modification provision
- League of MN Cities catching up on current MN bills focused on cable and broadband
- New bill introduced in MN House: Hf2139 workforce development; appropriating money for Gateways2Growth Initiative, including information technology
- Industry associations ask MN Legislature to rethink training requirements for broadband installers
- Minnesota February 2025 Budget and Economic Forecast: strong in the near term, weakening in long-range forecast
- Bill introduced in MN House: HF1957 appropriating money for a grant to the Minnesota Technology Association
- Bill introduced in MN House: HF1971 relieving telecom carriers of the obligation to serve certain areas; requiring the Office of Broadband Dev to resolve disputes
- MN House looking at cybersecurity support cities and towns for $20 million
- Bill introduced in MN Senate: SF2224: relieving telecom carriers of the obligation to serve certain areas; requiring the Office of Broadband Dev to resolve disputes
- MN House Ag, Finance and Policy Committee moved onto the general register: HF47: certification of broadband installers modified
- MN House Tax Committee laid over for inclusion: HF1277 (Davids) – Data centers sales and use tax exemption modified
- MN House Tax Committee laid over for inclusion: HF951: Sales and use tax exemption expanded to broadband
- MN businesses look at impact of tariffs – including broadband equipment company
- MN Senate introduces SF2045: establishing Equal Access to Broadband Act; modifying provisions for broadband services and infrastructure
- MN Seante introduces SF2112: appropriating money for a grant to the Minnesota Technology Association
- MN Rep Schultz recommends changes to broadband installer requirements to streamline broadband development
- MN Senate Committee on Elections learns about Impact of cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
- MN House introduces HF1664: livestreaming election ballot board activity
- MN HF140 (Cyber security support for cities, towns and townships) is laid over
- MN House hear testimony on HF1277 on Data centers sales and use tax exemption
- MN House Committee discusses HF28: Data center energy generation redundancy
- MN House introduces HF1740 a bill appropriating money for community cable television programming
- Federal
- Minnesota and Maine ask US Dep of Commerce about change to BEAD
- Sen Amy Klobuchar asks Assistance Commerce Secretary Arielle Roth about ensuring States can ‘expeditiously’ proceed with broadband plans
- Daily Yonder says changes to BEAD could strand rural communities
- NTIA report looks at barriers for broadband deployment
- Democrat FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks will retire this spring
- FCC to Increase Universal Service Fund (USF) contribution for telecom companies
- Libraries, school and others ask Senate to protect FCC wi-fi order
- FCC approves SpaceX’s direct-to-cell Starlink-T-Mobile satellite service at higher power levels
- FCC plans a deregulatory initiative dubbed Delete, Delete, Delete
- Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kan has plan for exempting broadband grants from federal taxes
- Funded by Congress, Voice of America, may be looking at changes
- 7 communications-related bills getting attention in US House now
- Trump Administration eliminates preference for fiber in BEAD grants, opens the door to satellite
- Congress discusses changes to BEAD program
- US Commerce secretary to take ‘rigorous review’ of BEAD program
- Advocacy concerned the Feds will steer BEAD funding to Musk
- Three things a recent study found about remote work
- A revived bill in Congress would ask the FCC to satellite rules and precision ag needs
- NRCEA makes recommendations on federal funding – focus on quicker funding and fiber
- BEAD program targeting: A preliminary analysis and recommendations on how to serve those most in the need
Vendor/Technology News
- MN’s WCTA celebrates 75 years in business
- Broadband industry leaders flag concerns about USF and permitting issues
- ITIF recommends capping broadband deployment costs and reallocating funds to affordability initiatives
Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:
- Broadband Matters OBD Updates Mar 26: Task Force and BEAD progress
- OBD Office Hour Notes Mar 25: BEAD Application Information Session
- OBD Office Hour Notes Mar 18: First Round BEAD grants to open March 24
- OBD Broadband Matters Mar 12: meeting notices, trip to Woodstock Communication in Southwest Minnesota
- OBD Weekly Office Hours, March 11: New office hours added
- OBD Weekly Office Hours, March 4: De-duplication list is out: 80,000 locations in MN are BEAD eligible
- Local Broadband News
Fall Lake Township
Fall Lake township learns about broadband needs in the area (Lake County)
Fillmore County
MiBroadband building better broadband in Fillmore County with MN State Broadband grant
Willmar
Star Tribune on Willmar’s municipal network moving forward
Willmar City Council votes no to Charter Communication’s deal and sticks with Connect Willmar Initiative
Winona County
Winona County has 2,100 homes that are underserved or unserved
Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources
- EVENT April 1: MN House Committee to discuss HF2928: water appropriation projects required … data centers exempted from making financial contributions to an energy conservation and optimization plan
- EVENT April 4: MN Senate committee to discussion SF0908: certification of underground telecommunications installers
- EVENT April 12: GigaZone Gaming Championship & TechXpo in Bemidji
- EVENT Thursday, April 17 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Thursday, May 15 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Wednesday, June 11 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Thursday, August 21 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Wednesday, September 17 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Wednesday, October 15 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Thursday, November 13 MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- EVENT Thursday, December 18MN Broadband Task Force Monthly Meeting
- OPPORTUNITY: Nominate Your Digital Equity Champion
- OPPORTUNITY: Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Community Connect Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2025