Housing developments: broadband adoption: grant program.

Under existing law, the Public Utilities Commission has regulatory authority over public utilities, including telephone corporations. Existing law requires the commission to develop, implement, and administer the California Advanced Services Fund program to encourage deployment of high-quality advanced communications services to all Californians that will promote economic growth, job creation, and the substantial social benefits of advanced information and communications technologies. Existing law establishes various programs intended to promote the development of affordable housing, including the Multifamily Housing Program, under which the Department of Housing and Community Development provides financial assistance in the form of deferred payment loans to pay for the eligible costs of certain housing development activities. This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish a grant program to fund broadband adoption, digital literacy, and computer equipment for eligible publicly supported communities, low-income mobilehome parks, and farmworker housing, as defined. The bill would require the commission to award grants to eligible publicly supported communities, low-income mobilehome parks, and farmworker housing for the purpose of providing either or both funding for computer equipment and to establish computer labs, and ongoing funding for broadband service and digital literacy programs.