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<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cThis broadband package is historic. It transcends politics, and it will be a legacy project that will benefit generations of rural and urban residents alike.\u00a0This legislation will yield vital, broadened access for California families by prioritizing the unserved and underserved areas, facilities, households, and businesses that remain disconnected in the digital era.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur work on this critical issue is not done. We are fully committed to passing comprehensive measures by the end of this year\u2019s legislative session to ensure the surcharge funding via the California Advanced Services Fund is extended. These surcharge funds are embedded in pending legislation and are critical to the long-term success of local connectivity projects and to ensure every Californian has access to high-quality broadband internet like they rightfully deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n
The legislation includes:<\/p>\n
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- More vital accountability and legislative oversight.<\/li>\n
- Creating a \u2018broadband czar\u2019 and nine-member council within the California Department of Technology.<\/li>\n
- Hiring a third-party to build and maintain the \u2018middle-mile network\u2019 \u2013 high-capacity fiber lines that carry large amounts of data at higher speeds over longer distances between local networks.<\/li>\n
- Investing $3.25 billion to target that middle mile and build the broadband lines.<\/li>\n
- Providing $2 billion for \u2018last-mile\u2019 infrastructure lines that will connect consumers\u2019 homes and businesses with local networks ($1 billion for rural communities; $1 billion for urban communities).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Details on the bill can be found in\u00a0AB\/SB 156<\/a>.<\/p>\n
CONTACT<\/b>:\u00a0GovPressOffice@gov.ca.gov<\/a>\u00a0(for Governor Newsom)<\/p>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Niesha Fritz,\u00a0Niesha.Fritz@sen.ca.gov<\/a>\u00a0(for Pro Tem Atkins)<\/p>\n