veeto
Home
Bills
Influence
Feedback
hamburger
    Privacy PolicyResources
    © 2025 Veeto. All rights reserved.
    AB-693
    Technology & Innovation

    Broadband: state oversight.

    Introduced
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity to centralize state oversight of broadband programs by July 2027.
    • Creates an 11-member Broadband and Digital Equity Commission to guide policy and oversee the department's activities.
    • Transfers control of broadband funds and programs from the Public Utilities Commission to the new department.
    • Requires maintaining an interactive map showing broadband availability and allowing public reporting of service issues.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Boerner's comprehensive broadband oversight legislation establishes a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity to centralize California's broadband deployment and digital equity initiatives. The bill creates an 11-member Broadband and Digital Equity Commission to oversee the department and guide state broadband policy, with representatives from consumer advocacy, nonprofits, internet service providers, labor unions, and tribal communities.

    The department will assume administration of the California Advanced Services Fund and Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund from the Public Utilities Commission on July 1, 2027, becoming the state's sole authority for broadband regulation and infrastructure deployment. The legislation requires maintaining an interactive statewide broadband accessibility map and establishes a process for residents to report digital discrimination.

    The Commission will appoint the department's executive director and advise on policy development while participating in federal proceedings affecting California's broadband interests. Members will receive up to $400 monthly for Commission business. The bill mandates annual legislative reports on unserved households, broadband adoption rates, and progress toward universal connectivity goals.

    The measure dissolves the existing California Broadband Council, transitioning its members to a committee under the new Commission. It preserves current funding mechanisms, including surcharges on Voice over Internet Protocol services, while emphasizing leveraging federal infrastructure dollars. The department must conduct biennial audits to ensure grant funds advance broadband deployment in alignment with state objectives.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Assembly Communications And Conveyance Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Communications And Conveyance Hearing
    Assembly Communications And Conveyance Hearing
    Read first time. To print.
    Assembly Floor
    Read first time. To print.
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 16 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gregg HartD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gail PellerinD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jessica CalozaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heather HadwickR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    AB-2575
    Broadband: state oversight.
    February 2024
    Failed
    View Bill
    Showing 1 of 1 items
    Page 1 of 1

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Tasha Boerner Horvath
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    California State Assembly Member
    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/14/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    April 9, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Communications And Conveyance Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    91010PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Establishes a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity to centralize state oversight of broadband programs by July 2027.
    • Creates an 11-member Broadband and Digital Equity Commission to guide policy and oversee the department's activities.
    • Transfers control of broadband funds and programs from the Public Utilities Commission to the new department.
    • Requires maintaining an interactive map showing broadband availability and allowing public reporting of service issues.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Tasha Boerner Horvath
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Boerner's comprehensive broadband oversight legislation establishes a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity to centralize California's broadband deployment and digital equity initiatives. The bill creates an 11-member Broadband and Digital Equity Commission to oversee the department and guide state broadband policy, with representatives from consumer advocacy, nonprofits, internet service providers, labor unions, and tribal communities.

    The department will assume administration of the California Advanced Services Fund and Broadband Loan Loss Reserve Fund from the Public Utilities Commission on July 1, 2027, becoming the state's sole authority for broadband regulation and infrastructure deployment. The legislation requires maintaining an interactive statewide broadband accessibility map and establishes a process for residents to report digital discrimination.

    The Commission will appoint the department's executive director and advise on policy development while participating in federal proceedings affecting California's broadband interests. Members will receive up to $400 monthly for Commission business. The bill mandates annual legislative reports on unserved households, broadband adoption rates, and progress toward universal connectivity goals.

    The measure dissolves the existing California Broadband Council, transitioning its members to a committee under the new Commission. It preserves current funding mechanisms, including surcharges on Voice over Internet Protocol services, while emphasizing leveraging federal infrastructure dollars. The department must conduct biennial audits to ensure grant funds advance broadband deployment in alignment with state objectives.

    10% progression
    Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/14/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Next Step
    Assembly Committee
    Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
    Hearing has not been scheduled yet
    Assembly Communications And Conveyance Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Communications And Conveyance Hearing
    Assembly Communications And Conveyance Hearing
    Read first time. To print.
    Assembly Floor
    Read first time. To print.
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    April 9, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Communications And Conveyance Hearing
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    91010PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 16 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Joaquin ArambulaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tasha Boerner HorvathD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Buffy WicksD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Lisa CalderonD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mike FongD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Diane DixonR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gregg HartD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Blanca PachecoD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Gail PellerinD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Kate SanchezR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Tri TaR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jessica CalozaD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Mark GonzalezD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Heather HadwickR
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Jose SolacheD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Committee Member

    Similar Past Legislation

    Bill NumberTitleIntroduced DateStatusLink to Bill
    AB-2575
    Broadband: state oversight.
    February 2024
    Failed
    View Bill
    Showing 1 of 1 items
    Page 1 of 1