Senate amends and approves Broadband Center advisory commission bill to prioritize federal funding leverage

Salt Lake City — The Senate amended and passed First Substitute Senate Bill 214, which establishes a Broadband Advisory Commission to provide oversight as the Utah Broadband Center develops a statewide strategic broadband plan and determines how federal broadband funds will be spent.

Sponsor Sen. Wilson introduced an amendment changing language on page line 128 to replace a phrase about minimizing state use of funds with wording that the commission "efficiently maximizes the leverage of federal funding." The amendment was moved, discussed briefly and adopted. Sen. Wilson told colleagues the commission will receive reports from the Utah Broadband Center on how grants and federal funds are spent on implementation of the strategic plan.

Following adoption of the amendment, the Senate conducted a roll‑call vote on passage; the clerk recorded 27 yea votes, 0 nay votes and 2 absent. The bill will be transmitted to the House for their consideration.

The floor discussion emphasized oversight and strategic allocation of federal broadband dollars, with the amendment intended to clarify the state's intent to leverage federal funding efficiently.