The Policy and Advocacy Taskforce convened on May 2, 2002. The meeting included representatives from multiple sectors interested in resolving the digital divide in the Los Angeles County region. The purpose of the Policy and Advocacy Task Force is to host discussions of relevant public policy, regulatory and best practices to identify priorities for public policy to permanently eliminate the digital divide.

The meeting led by David Rattray, CEO, UNITE-LA and Ana Teresa Dahan, Senior Director, Policy, Advocacy and Communications, Great Public Schools Now.

Sulaiman Kenyatta, Policy Manager, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) gave an overview of state legislation that is continuing to be tracked, including:

AB 2748: Telecommunications: Digital Equity in Video Franchising (DIVCA) – This measures is focused on addressing modern issues with broadband connectivity subscriber discrimination, and other digital equity barriers. A notable component of this bill is that it reforms franchising laws and establishes equal access requirements for broadband services. The measure passed of out of its committee and will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

AB2751: Affordable Internet and Net Equality Act of 2022 – This measure creates an equity program that requires internet service providers doing business with the state to provide a minimum of $40 a month plan with 25/3 megabits per second speeds to eligible low-income families. It also requires ISPs to provide technical support to households so they can sign up for affordable plans more easily. The measure passed of out of its committee and will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Also discussed were the following capital projects identified in the Capital Projects Fund Guidance as being eligible uses of Capital Projects Fund grant funding: Broadband Infrastructure Projects: the construction and deployment of broadband infrastructure designed to deliver service that reliably meets or exceeds symmetrical speeds of 100Mbps so that communities have future-proof infrastructure to serve their long-term needs.

Digital Connectivity Technology Projects: the purchase or installation of devices and equipment, such as laptops, tablets, desktop personal computers, and public Wi-Fi equipment, to facilitate broadband internet access for communities where affordability is a barrier to broadband adoption and use.

Multi-Purpose Community Facility Projects: the construction or improvement of buildings designed to jointly and directly enable work, education, and health monitoring located in communities with critical need for the project.

Resources

• SB 1325: California “Techquity” Innovation Program: This measure by Senator Lena Gonzalez would advance equity in tech entrepreneurship in California.
• How to Submit Public Comment 101: A one-page on how to submit public comments to the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC)
• LA Deal E-Newsletter – April 2022 Highlights: A new newsletter from LA DEAL
• US Dept. of the Treasury: Capital Projects Fund: The Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (Capital Projects Fund) will ensure all communities have access to the high-quality modern infrastructure, including broadband, needed to access critical services.
• FCC Seeks Comment on Preventing and Eliminating Digital Discrimination: The FCC invites comment on whether the characteristics listed are exclusive or if the Commission’s rules should also address discrimination based on other characteristics, such as age, disability, or level of English proficiency.
• California Broadband for All Funding Opportunities: A resource to track funding and funding opportunities