281.4.
(a) (1) For purposes of this section, the definitions specified in subdivision (i) of Section 281 apply.(2) “Connect” or “Connectivity” means, for a resident in a publicly subsidized multiunit housing complex, the presence of all of the following conditions:
(A) Actual installed broadband infrastructure access in a residential dwelling unit at a price affordable to the residents or the owner of the housing complex.
(B) Ownership or ongoing possession of an appropriate computing device for the residents in the unit to connect to the internet that is capable of navigating the internet.
(C) Sufficient digital literacy proficiency to use the device and navigate the internet to send and receive digital messages, access and retrieve information and data, and generate and share content via the internet. For residents with children in school, an appropriate computing device shall be capable of supporting distance learning and enabling students to complete school assignments.
(b) The goal of this section is to provide connectivity to all residents in publicly subsidized multiunit housing by 2025, or as soon as practicable thereafter, by awarding grants to eligible applicants.
(c) (1) Notwithstanding paragraph (7) of subdivision (i) of Section 281, beginning January 1, 2022, the commission shall deposit not less than twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) of the surcharge collected
pursuant to Section 281 in the Broadband Public Housing Account for the purposes of this section.
(2) If the collection of the surcharge pursuant to Section 281 is extend to after December 31, 2022, except as provided in paragraph (3), the commission shall annually transfer twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) of the surcharge collected to the Broadband Public Housing Account for the purposes of this section.
(3) (A) Paragraph (2) becomes inoperative on the earlier of the date when the collection of the surcharge is terminated or when all of the following occur:
(i) The commission makes a formal finding that the goal set forth in subdivision (b) has been achieved.
(ii) The commission submits the formal finding to the
Legislature, in accordance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(iii) Upon the submission of the finding pursuant to clause (ii), the Legislature holds a public hearing on the findings.
(B) Any unencumbered moneys in the Broadband Public Housing Account as of the date when paragraph (2) becomes inoperative shall be transferred to the Broadband Infrastructure Grant Account.
(d) (1) On and after July 1, 2022, and until the inoperative date of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), the commission shall accept applications for grants funded by the Broadband Public Housing Account that provide for one or more conditions for connectivity to residents in a publicly subsidized multiunit housing complex.
(2) The commission shall give
preference to applications that establish either of the following:
(A) The housing complex lacks installed broadband infrastructure access in at least one unit of the housing complex as of January 1, 2021.
(B) At least 20 percent of the residents in the housing complex do not have internet service in their residential units because either the requisite infrastructure is not present as of January 1, 2021, or the available internet service is not at a price offered by the internet service provider that is affordable.
(3) An application for a grant to provide appropriate devices or digital literacy training or both shall be awarded only if installed broadband infrastructure exists in all residential units or will be accomplished as a result of the grant.
(4) The commission shall give priority consideration to applications that include innovation collaborative partnerships with one or more internet service providers in the interest of leveraging and augmenting the Broadband Public Housing Account.
(5) (A) The commission shall notify entities that had a pending application for funding from the Broadband Public Housing Account as of December 31, 2016, to the availability of grants from the Broadband Public Housing Account and invite those entities to submit a new application pursuant to this section.
(B) The commission shall give priority consideration to applications submitted by those entities described in subparagraph (A).