February 14, 2022 Group Watch: AL Senate Approves Package of Broadband Bills
The Alabama Senate approved three bills to support broadband expansion over the next several years. The bills sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield would increase minimum broadband speeds for grant programs administered by the state, allow governmental entities to apply for grants and allow counties to direct money for broadband services to private companies. The legislature plans to spend $276 million of the state’s share of the first round of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to expand broadband, long a goal of the business community and officials in the state. Additional ARPPA are expected to come to the state later this spring.
