Governor Kim Reynolds signed the Universal Broadband Bill into law Wednesday.

For House District 20 Representative Ray Sorensen, this new law has been one that he’s been heavily involved in. The bill establishes an Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant that gives broadband providers incentives to extend internet access to rural parts of Iowa that either have slow or no connection. The grant program is based on a three-tier system for providers to improve access, for a total of $100 million. Reynolds proposed $450 million over three years in her State of the State address in January, with $150 million for the first year.

Sorensen shares his thoughts on lawmakers agreeing with the final allocated funding amount.

“I always said I’m in line with the governor, and the governor wanted $150 million. I was willing to compromise, but my fallback line was $100 million. If we really want to be serious about digging Iowa out of the bottom of the states in speeds and connection, we need to be serious about appropriating this money.”

Sorensen notes the price tag by the governor seems like a lot, but it will achieve a lot down the road.

“This isn’t something that we’re looking to spend $100 million on every year for infinity. We’re looking in the next 3-5 years to build out enough and connect enough that we have a connection that is envious across the country. So we sit in the heart of the country to be a hub and a Silicon Valley so to speak is a true and attainable goal in my eyes.”   

Sorensen adds that they are continuing to work on other bills related to broadband. Click the link below to see the new law.

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HF%20848&ga=89