One of AOC’s priority bills in the 2022 Legislative Session, House Bill 4092 – known as the session’s broadband omnibus bill, moved out of its policy committee during the first week of session with unanimous support and is expected to move quickly through the ways and means process. AOC supports HB 4092 because counties know that 21st century communities require access to strong, redundant, reliable, and affordable broadband.
HB 4092 ensures the Oregon Broadband Office is poised to receive and efficiently deploy hundreds of millions of federal dollars aimed at expanding access and improves the state’s ability to develop accurate statewide maps to identify gaps in access. As federal dollars begin to flow into Oregon, counties must have access to the resources, capacity, and expertise necessary to develop successful holistic projects and apply for funding.
In addition to the current efforts underway around HB 4092 in the state Legislature, this week the Oregon Broadband Office kicked off a stakeholder involvement process to shape the state’s broadband program. The process will inform the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Capital Projects Funds Program allocation, the Grant and Program Plans, which the Broadband Office will submit to the US Treasury by September 2022, and Broadband Fund Program Rules development.
Updates to state governance and oversight are critical first steps, but the collaborative, “whole of government” approach must be ongoing. As projects move from mapping and planning to digging and fiber, counties must also have the tools and authority to manage new physical infrastructure being laid in the right of way.
Please reach out to Mallorie Roberts for more information or to weigh in with your county’s priorities around the broadband program development.
Contributed by: Mallorie Roberts | Legislative Director