DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 603 Original 2023 Regular Session Deshotel
Abstract: Provides for changes relative to GUMBO, the office of broadband development and
connectivity (office), and broadband service providers.
Present law defines "unserved area".
Proposed law retains present law and further provides that an area that has only a digital describer
line, or satellite internet below 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second
upload, or fixed wireless below 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second
upload is considered unserved.
Present law authorizes any entity submitting broadband data to the office to challenge any project
area ultimately deemed eligible.
Proposed law retains present law and requires the office to start the challenge process at least 90 days
before the future grant round is launched. Authorizes the office to use the Federal Communications
Commission's (FCC) broadband data map and the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration's preferred model approach to conduct the process for local governments, nonprofit
organizations, and internet service providers to challenge the service in this state.
Proposed law authorizes the office to validate a basis for challenge upon a valid internet service
provider's reservations for project areas using private funds. Further requires the director of the
office or his designee to evaluate challenges based on reasons other than if a project area is served
or unserved. Further requires the office to keep challenge details confidential to the extent required
for evaluation and consistency with federal requirements.
Proposed law prohibits local governments, nonprofit profit organizations, and internet service
providers from protesting the challenge results.
Present law provides for the application process to receive funding.
Proposed law retains present law and requires the office to run a grant round for a 30 day period from
the date the round is opened until the application deadline. Authorizes the office to incorporate
federal funding into grant rounds. Requires a grant round to be preceded by a challenge process that
opened no longer than 12 months prior and no more recently than 60 days.
Proposed law requires the office to define project areas eligible for grant funding based on the most recently updated map by the FCC and requires adjustment to funding according to the outcomes of
the challenge process. Provides that new broadband serviceable locations within the defined project
area that are not included on the latest FCC map are to be served by the award winner before project
completion. Further requires all project areas to be released to the public before a grant round.
Proposed law requires the Joint Legislative Committee on Technology and Cybersecurity to approve
project areas before the beginning of a grant round.
Present law requires applications to be scored based upon a system that awards a single point for
criteria considered to be the minimum level for the provision of broadband service with additional
points awarded to criteria that exceed minimum levels. Further requires the office to develop the
scoring system.
Proposed law retains present law and authorizes local governments, nonprofit organizations, and
internet service providers to challenge the award up to 7 days after the announcement if the entity
believes that a scoring error occurred that would result in an award change. Further requires the
office to amend scoring to comply with federal guidelines if federal grant funds are being used
(Amends R.S. 51:2370.2(17) and 2370.7(intro. para.); Adds R.S. 51:2370.3(J)(7)-(10), 2370.4(D)-
(G) and 2370.7(B) and (C))