The Policy and Advocacy Taskforce convened on June 6, 2022. The meeting included representatives from multiple sectors interested in resolving the digital divide in the Los Angeles County region.

The meeting led by Ana Teresa Dahan, Senior Director, Policy, Advocacy and Communications, Great Public Schools Now and Suli Kenyatta, Policy Manager, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC).

Kenyatta gave an overview of state legislation that is continuing to be tracked, including:

SB 717: Broadband Access Point Investment Acceleration Study Act of 2022

This bill would require the Department of Technology, on or before January 1, 2024, with input from relevant state agencies and stakeholders, to conduct, complete, and submit a report to specified legislative committees that reviews and identifies barriers to, and opportunities for, investment in, and efficient building of, broadband access points on private and government-owned structures and property, private and public lands and buildings, and public rights of way. The bill would also require the review to identify barriers to, and opportunities for, access to mobile and fixed broadband internet service infrastructure by low-income tribal, urban, and rural customers, and underserved communities.

Kenyatta also mentioned that bills mentioned in previous taskforce meetings are being assigned to various State Legislative committees and that the bill tracker at www.ladeal.org/public-policy/ is in process of being updated. It also was clarified that the bills being tracked are for information only.

Resources

• Updated LA DEAL Bill Tracker – www.ladeal.org/public-policy/
• LA DEAL E-Newsletter – May 2022 Highlights: A new newsletter from LA DEAL