Title
Approve a recommendation by the Legislative Committee to authorize letters to the Speaker of the Assembly and the President pro Tempore of the Senate requesting the appointment of Supervisor Luis Alejo to serve on the Middle Mile Advisory Committee (MMAC).
Report
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a recommendation by the Legislative Committee to authorize letters to the Speaker of the Assembly and President pro Tempore of the Senate requesting the appointment of Supervisor Luis Alejo to serve on the Middle Mile Advisory Committee (MMAC).
Summary
On October 10, 2022, the Legislative Committee met and recommended that the Board authorize letters to the Speaker of the Assembly and President pro Tempore of the Senate requesting the appointment of Supervisor Luis Alejo to serve on the Middle Mile Advisory Committee (MMAC). Supervisor Alejo has been a champion of efforts to expand broadband service and to close the digital divide. Supervisor Alejo currently serves on the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Executive Committee and as Chair of the CSAC Government Finance and Administration Committee which oversees broadband issues. He also currently serves on the National Association of Counties (NACo) Telecommunications and Technology Steering Committee.
During the 2022-23 State Legislative Session, Monterey County and the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) cosponsored AB 2256 (Quirk-Silva) to expand the membership of the broadband MMAC to include two elected government officials from a city or county, one appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and one appointed by the Senate Rules Committee. AB 2256 was signed by the Governor on September 29, 2022.
Discussion
The Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative. In July 2021, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 156 (Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, Chapter 112, Statutes of 2021) to create an open-access middle-mile network (MMBI) to support the expansion of high-speed broadband service to Californians. SB 156 provides $3.25 billion to build the MMBI, which is funded entirely from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that must be encumbered by December 2024. The ARPA expenditures must be liquidated, and the project completed by December 2026. The $3.25 billion in ARPA funding is estimated to be enough to build approximately 6,000 miles of the proposed 8,100-mile system.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Middle-Mile Advisory Committee. Per SB 156, the purpose of the MMAC is to monitor the construction and establishment of the statewide open-access middle-mile broadband network. The project's third-party administrator is also required to seek policy advice from the MMAC. The MMAC is required to meet monthly through June 2022 and quarterly thereafter, although meetings have so far remained monthly. Although some of the state agencies represented on the MMAC have particular roles and responsibilities outlined in existing law, the MMAC itself is a non-voting body with only an advisory role.
Existing law specifies that the MMAC’s membership must include the following representatives: a) A representative from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). b) A representative from CDT. c) A representative from the California Department of Transportation. d) A representative from the Department of Finance. e) A representative from the Government Operations Agency. f) Two ex officio members from the Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. g) Two ex officio members from the Senate and be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. (Government Code §11549.58)
Need for Local Government Collaboration - AB 2256 (Quirk-Silva). During MMAC meetings a range of updates and information regarding the MMBI project is discussed by the committee members and shared with the public. For example, local planning and permitting has been identified as a potential obstacle to expeditiously constructing the MMBI project. Including representatives from local government, as authorized under AB 2256, is important to ensuring the success of a statewide middle mile network. Local government representatives provide a perspective different from the many state representatives on the committee and serve as a liaison between the committee and local officials around the state who know the needs and gaps within their communities.
Other Agency Involvement
The County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division (CAO-IGLA) prepared this report. Information was provided to the Legislative Committee by CAO-IGLA and the County’s state legislative advocate, Ashley Walker of Nossaman LLP.
Financing
Monterey County’s Legislative Program is funded in County Administrative Office-Department 1050, Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs Division-Unit 8054. Approval of this recommendation will not result in additional general fund contributions.
Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
The Legislative Program and Strategic Grant Services Program engage in activities that address all areas of the Board’s Strategic Initiatives. The Legislative Committee regularly receives reports on these activities.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
þ Economic Development
þ Administration
þ Health & Human Services
þ Infrastructure
þ Public Safety
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, Legislative Coordinator (MAIII)
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant CAO
Date: October 11, 2022
Attachments:
- Draft letter to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon
- Draft Letter to Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins