Massachusetts § 35SSS - Broadband Innovation Fund

§ 35SSS. Broadband Innovation Fund

Section 35SSS. (a) There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a separate fund known as the Broadband Innovation Fund to be administered by the secretary of economic development. There shall be credited to the fund: (i) revenue from appropriations or other money authorized by the general court and specifically designated to be credited to the fund; (ii) interest earned on such revenues; and (iii) funds from public and private sources including gifts, grants and donations. Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund and shall remain available for expenditure in subsequent fiscal years. No expenditure made from the fund shall cause the fund to become deficient at any point. Any fiscal year-end balance in the fund that is subject to appropriation shall not be subject to section 5C of chapter 29.

(b) The secretary shall make expenditures from the fund for the purposes of:

(i) closing the digital divide by facilitating equitable broadband service adoption in unserved and underserved communities;

(ii) expanding digital literacy for residents experiencing economic hardship including, but not limited to, persons eligible for the temporary assistance for needy families program, the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program, the federal communications commission's emergency broadband benefit program, the federal communications commission's lifeline program, and those whose household includes a child who is eligible for free or reduced price lunch; provided, however, that priority shall be given to programming for existing regional partners, public housing authorities and public libraries; and

(iii) empowering communities to use digital tools through the provision of devices, connectivity and training to low-income populations.