<section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="6.5-101" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 74 OF 2021" title_number="6.5" title_name="Office of Statewide Broadband" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Director” means the Director of the Office of Statewide Broadband.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Office” means the Office of Statewide Broadband.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="6.5-102" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 74 OF 2021" title_number="6.5" title_name="Office of Statewide Broadband" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>There is an Office of Statewide Broadband in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the Office is to ensure that every resident of the State:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is supported in the adoption of reliable, universal, high–quality broadband Internet service at an affordable price; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>has the tools necessary to use the Internet and take advantage of Internet resources.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="6.5-103" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 74 OF 2021" title_number="6.5" title_name="Office of Statewide Broadband" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>The Governor shall appoint the Director of the Office.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Director:</text> <level label="1"> <text>serves at the pleasure of the Governor; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>reports to both the Secretary and the Governor.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Director shall work closely with the Secretary of Commerce and the State Superintendent of Schools to harmonize the efforts of the Office with the economic development aspects of digital infrastructure and with the needs of local education agencies.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="6.5-104" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 74 OF 2021" title_number="6.5" title_name="Office of Statewide Broadband" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>The Office shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>develop definitions and standards for broadband Internet that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>address current and future requirements and uses by communities, businesses, schools, health care providers, and other stakeholders;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>reflect the need for a forward–looking, statewide digital communications infrastructure; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>are not at odds with definitions and standards adopted by the Federal Communications Commission;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>collect promotional and nonpromotional pricing data directly from broadband Internet providers; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>assess the actual upload and download speeds experienced by consumers;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>create a statewide audit of the availability, reliability, and affordability of broadband Internet services in every county, which shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>network performance metrics, including information on data transfer speeds, network throughput, and network latency;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a data–based evaluation, using a variety of data collection methods including community surveys and targeted outreach to traditionally underrepresented communities, of the reasons that certain residents and businesses do not have access to broadband Internet services; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>demographic information regarding communities where broadband Internet services are unavailable or unaffordable;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>create a website that houses a publicly accessible map that allows users to overlay GIS heat mapping comments, based on and incorporating data and information from the Federal Communications Commission, that shows, in addition to any information provided by the Federal Communications Commission:</text> <level label="i"> <text>which residences do and do not have access to broadband Internet;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>broadband Internet service prices and plans available in different areas; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>other available State geographic and demographic data;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>collect, analyze, and publicly share:</text> <level label="i"> <text>geographic and demographic data regarding households that rely on mobile broadband for Internet service, based on the understanding that mobile broadband is not a substitute for in–home fixed Internet services;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>data regarding the adoption and affordability of reliable broadband Internet in the State, including the average cost per average speed by county; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>data regarding investments in expanding Internet infrastructure, adoption, and speed increases;</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>assist and support local jurisdictions in their efforts to improve access to broadband Internet, including through the development and deployment of training programs to increase residents’ digital literacy;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>work with local jurisdictions and economic development organizations to identify areas with a demand for better Internet service;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>estimate and identify the amount and type of funding needed to connect residents to affordable high–speed Internet;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>identify and coordinate the delivery of resources to local jurisdictions for the improvement of access to broadband Internet, including by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>identifying sources of funds that can be used to expand access to broadband Internet;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>assisting local jurisdictions to apply for and receive funds for expanding access to broadband Internet; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>identifying and sharing data regarding local, State, and federal funds allocated or received through grants and private sector investment for investment in expanding Internet infrastructure, adoption, and speed increases;</text> </level> </level> <level label="10"> <text>request information regarding total dollar investments in high–speed Internet from local jurisdictions, private companies, and organizations;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>investigate, identify, and evaluate new technologies that would increase the availability of broadband Internet service in the State;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>identify opportunities for productive partnerships that would enable the sharing of resources and further the goal of expanding access and connection to broadband Internet service;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>develop recommendations regarding policies, regulations, or legislation to improve the availability of and access to broadband Internet services in the State;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>review existing laws, policies, and regulations regarding access to the rights–of–way and easements of public utilities and recommend any changes the Office considers necessary to encourage the deployment of broadband Internet;</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>support efforts to increase the digital literacy of residents, nonprofit organizations, and business owners; and</text> </level> <level label="16"> <text>collaborate with local education agencies and community colleges to ensure that students have the ability to connect to broadband Internet that allows for full engagement in remote learning without disruptive lagging and periodic disconnection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Through partnerships with local jurisdictions, library systems, anchor institutions, and the private sector, the Office shall offer funding and technical assistance to help local governments and private entities:</text> <level label="i"> <text>qualify for federal funding opportunities; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>plan, design, and construct broadband infrastructure.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To complement other sources of funding, the Office shall work with the Community Development Administration to initiate a broadband funding structure under § 4–229 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before July 1, 2022, the Office shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>prepare a statewide plan to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>ensure 98% connectivity to universal, affordable, reliable broadband Internet by a date not later than December 31, 2025;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>ensure that every resident of the State has the ability to connect to universal, affordable, reliable broadband Internet that exceeds the Federal Communications Commission standard for upload and download speeds by a date not later than December 31, 2026; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>establish key performance indicators relating to infrastructure, adoption, and speed; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>submit the plan to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In preparing the plan required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Office shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>solicit input from a diverse range of stakeholders, including libraries and workforce development boards;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>consult with local governments, federal regulators, Internet service providers, and nongovernmental organizations involved in and working in the field of connecting communities to high–speed Internet and digital literacy;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>hold at least two online listening sessions; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>receive written statements from stakeholders at a time the Office determines.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>In carrying out this section, the Office shall meet quarterly to collaborate with the appropriate units of State government, including the Department of Information Technology, the State Department of Education, the State Department of Transportation, the Maryland State Library, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Agriculture, the Maryland Department of Health, and the Department of Planning, and the appropriate units of local government, including the Maryland Association of Counties and the Maryland Municipal League, to ensure that efforts to expand and enhance broadband Internet services are coordinated statewide.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before December 1, 2021, and each year thereafter, the Office shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the progress of the State’s efforts to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>develop and implement the plan required under subsection (c) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>increase access and connection to broadband Internet services throughout the State with specific reporting on improvements to infrastructure, adoption, and speeds;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>improve digital literacy among residents of the State; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>increase speeds to meet or exceed the Federal Communications Commission standard for upload and download speeds;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the existing gaps in connectivity and the State’s progress toward closing those gaps;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>the impact that gaps in Internet service have on the workforce and State and local economies;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>information from local education agencies on the impact of Internet service quality on student achievement and access to 21st century opportunities;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>demographic data on locations with gaps in services; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>the allocation of money from, and programs supported by, the Digital Inclusion Fund, the Digital Connectivity Fund, and the Rural Broadband Assistance Fund in the preceding fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The report required under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be published on the website established under subsection (a)(4) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="6.5-105" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 74 OF 2021" title_number="6.5" title_name="Office of Statewide Broadband" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Fund” means the Digital Inclusion Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Digital Inclusion Fund.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to provide a competitive grant program to support capacity building for local governments and nonprofit organizations seeking to close the digital divide in Maryland by furthering access to high–speed Internet and to implement programs to expand digital literacy.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Office shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Office shall work with other offices within the Department and the Department of Commerce to adopt regulations specifying:</text> <level label="i"> <text>procedures for applying for financial assistance; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>priorities for allocating, selecting, and distributing financial assistance from the Fund.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing special fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>money appropriated by the State to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>financial assistance provided to the State by the federal government for the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>interest earnings; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund may be used only to distribute grants not to exceed $500,000 to local governments and nonprofit corporations that are working to further the goals of the Office, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>providing training to residents in the use of digital tools;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>enhancing the capacity of communities to access government services, participate in civic matters, and pursue educational opportunities;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>researching populations with low adoption rates for home Internet and computers; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>other digital inclusion or equity goals identified in the statewide plan.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Money in the Fund may not be used for increasing broadband Internet infrastructure.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="6.5-106" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 74 OF 2021" title_number="6.5" title_name="Office of Statewide Broadband" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Fund” means the Digital Connectivity Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Digital Connectivity Fund.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to assist in the establishment and expansion of affordable broadband communication services in disconnected areas and communities in the State.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Office shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Office shall adopt application procedures for grants distributed from the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Office shall work with other offices within the Department and the Department of Commerce to adopt regulations specifying:</text> <level label="i"> <text>procedures for applying for financial assistance; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>priorities for allocating, selecting, and distributing financial assistance from the Fund.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing special fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>money appropriated by the State to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>financial assistance provided to the State by the federal government for the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>interest earnings; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Fund may be used only to distribute competitive grants:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for planning, construction, and maintenance of broadband communication services, equipment, and activities; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>to provide financial assistance to local governments to expand high–speed Internet access in disconnected communities in the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="6.5-107" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 74 OF 2021" title_number="6.5" title_name="Office of Statewide Broadband" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>There is a Rural Broadband Assistance Fund in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to assist in the establishment of broadband communication services in rural and underserved areas of the State.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Office shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>money appropriated in the State budget to the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Economic Development Article for the purpose of assisting in the establishment of broadband communication services in rural and underserved areas of the State;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>federal money allocated or granted to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>interest earnings; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>any other money from any source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund may be used only for planning, construction, and maintenance of broadband communication services and equipment in rural and underserved areas and related activities.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The Treasurer shall invest the money in the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>The Office shall make payments from the Fund within 30 days after notice of a decision of the Maryland Rural Broadband Coordination Board under § 13–504(3) of the Economic Development Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ghs" article_name="Housing and Community Development" number="6.5-108" effective_note="EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 2030 PER CHAPTER 74 OF 2021" title_number="6.5" title_name="Office of Statewide Broadband" subtitle_number="1"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to a county or municipal corporation within the Washington Suburban Sanitary District.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A county or municipal corporation may adopt, by ordinance or resolution, locally appropriate policies to advance progress of infrastructure, equipment, and systems needed to extend broadband access to underserved areas, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>expedited consideration of locally imposed permits or approvals customarily applied to comparable projects;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the waiver or reduction of fees or charges customarily associated with comparable projects;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>using project–based or region–based authority for public–private partnerships of related projects; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>measures consistent with other county laws, implemented to accelerate deployment of infrastructure and equipment necessary or desirable to promote broadband deployment into underserved areas.</text> </level> </level> </section>