Helping Mississippians Afford Broadband Act; create.
The act stipulates that eligible households will receive direct financial support of up to $15 per month, which will be paid to their broadband service providers to lower overall costs. The funding for this subsidy program will primarily originate from federal funds associated with the American Rescue Plan Act. This strategic approach aims to alleviate financial barriers to broadband access, recognizing the essential nature of internet connectivity in modern society, especially for students, remote workers, and small businesses.
Senate Bill 2535, known as the Helping Mississippians Afford Broadband Act, aims to enhance broadband access for eligible households by providing financial assistance. The bill establishes a framework wherein the Department of Information Technology Services collaborates with the Wireless Communication Commission to create a program that offers subsidies to eligible households for broadband services. This initiative specifically targets households already receiving federal benefits under the Emergency Broadband Benefit or the Affordable Connectivity Program, thereby improving access to internet services for low-income families.
Notably, the act empowers the Department of Information Technology Services to allocate and manage these subsidy funds and to appoint an ombudsman dedicated to ensuring that the aid reaches underserved communities effectively. While this provision aims to enhance transparency and accountability, discussions around the bill may reveal differing opinions on its execution and the sufficiency of the allocated funds. Some stakeholders might raise concerns about the effectiveness of the program in reaching all the targeted households or securing broad participation from providers.