House Engrossed

appropriations; broadband grants

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

2021

HOUSE BILL 2156

AN ACT

appropriating monies to the Arizona commerce authority.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Appropriation; Arizona commerce authority; broadband grants; exemption

A. The sum of $5,000,000 in onetime funding is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2021-2022 to the Arizona commerce authority to provide broadband grants.

B. The Arizona commerce authority shall award broadband grants to cities and towns with a population of not more than one hundred fifty thousand persons.  The authority shall consider the following factors in prioritizing grant awards:

1. The potential of the award to stimulate economic development and growth in the city or town.

2. The current level of access to broadband or high-speed internet service in the city or town and the degree to which the award would improve access to broadband or high-speed internet service in the city or town.

C. The appropriation made in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to the lapsing of appropriations.