H125 - Continuing Budget Operations. (SL 2025-89)

Overview: Section 4.3 of S.L. 2025-89 (House Bill 125) does all of the following:

• Repeals the statutory authority for the Satellite-Based Broadband Grant Program and the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Program for Fixed Wireless and Satellite Broadband Grants.
• Directs the Department of Information Technology (DIT) to use funds appropriated to the GREAT Program for Fixed Wireless and Satellite Broadband Grants to award grants to eligible entities to purchase installation materials for satellite internet service. In awarding these grants, DIT must prioritize applicants operating in a county designated within the Hurricane Helene disaster area, and may also give priority to applicants that offer emergency services, disaster relief, educational services, or economic development. Eligible grant recipients include State agencies, local governments, volunteer fire departments, schools, libraries, community colleges, community centers, and other similar places.
• Authorizes DIT to provide emergency funding to communications service providers to rebuild, repair, or replace broadband infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Helene. DIT may use up to $50 million of available funds that were originally appropriated in the 2021 Appropriations Act (S.L. 2021-180) for the purpose of the Broadband Make Ready Accelerator programs.

This section became effective retroactively to July 1, 2025.