Wyoming House Bill HB0068

Wyoming 2022 Regular Session

• Failed: 2/18/22

Caption

Broadband and telehealth access projects.

Impact

To operationalize these initiatives, the Wyoming business council is mandated to provide grants to local governments for broadband access, with caps set at $20,000 per grant. Additionally, the bill allocates $2 million specifically for health care providers to acquire telehealth equipment and support outreach and education efforts, improving care delivery in remote or underserved communities. This aspect of the bill seeks to enhance the state's telehealth capabilities, which have become increasingly critical in recent years.

Summary

House Bill 0068 focuses on enhancing broadband and telehealth access in Wyoming. The bill proposes the establishment of a funding program that utilizes American Rescue Plan Act funds to support local governmental entities in developing broadband internet access projects. It aims to facilitate the installation of public wireless internet access points in areas that currently lack sufficient broadband service, particularly targeting underserved and unserved areas.

Contention

Notable points of contention may stem from the prioritization of projects based on community needs and economic considerations. The bill mandates that grants should favor projects located in economically disadvantaged areas, which could lead to debates on the distribution of funds and the efficacy of access projects. Furthermore, the provision that each local government may only receive grants for projects without overlapping community wireless access could also present challenges in execution.