General Assembly Passes Legislation to Support Expansion of Rural Broadband

This week, Missouri lawmakers passed a bill supporting expansion of high speed internet access in Missouri. HB 1768, sponsored by Rep. Louis Riggs (R-Hannibal), would expand Missouri's broadband grant program through 2027. The bill allows the Department of Economic Development to retain and reassign unused federal broadband grant money from one provider to another instead of returning the funds to the federal government. The department estimates that nearly 1.2 million Missourians do not have access to high speed internet. Expanding access continues to be a priority for the state, especially with the increased need to work and communicate remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The bill now heads to Governor Parson's desk for his signature.