A. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce with the participation and advice of the Rural Broadband Expansion Council shall promulgate rules and procedures for the establishment of the State Broadband Deployment Grant Program. The State Broadband Deployment Grant Program shall include development of a competitive grant program to award funding to applicants seeking to expand access to broadband Internet service in this state. The Department and Council shall look at best practices in other states to help facilitate the framework of the Program. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce shall administer the Program.
B. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to be designated the "State Broadband Deployment Grant Program Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies designated for deposit to said fund. All monies accruing to the credit of said fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and shall be expended by the Department for the purpose of awarding grants by and through the Rural Broadband Expansion Council, pursuant to subsection A of this section, to applicants seeking to expand access to broadband Internet service in this state.
Added by Laws 2021, c. 485, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.