California is changing rules to allow some agencies to lease state property to internet service providers in an effort to speed up broadband development in rural locations.
The measure, authored by Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), aims to improve internet connectivity across California to provide “digital equity” in rural areas.
Low-income households were less likely to have such access, according to the policy institute.
“Many students still struggle to access the internet for their homework,” the institute said in its study. “For example, about 13,000 students of Fresno Unified School District’s 60,000 students remain unconnected to the internet outside of their school’s network in the greater Fresno area.”
Under existing law, the general services department is not able to execute leases of state-owned real estate to support such development.
The new law will give the department more flexibility in setting lease terms, Mr. Dodd said. It will also allow the department to create incentives for broadband providers to invest in such properties in the state.
