The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) says they applaud Governor Jerry Brown for signing into law Senate Bill 740, which helps expand broadband deployment in rural California.

Senate Bill 740, authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-San Fernando Valley), revises the activities of the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF). administered by the California Public Utilities Commission which provides grants to bridge the “digital divide” and secure greater broadband services in California’s un-served and underserved areas.

Funding for the grants to bridge the “digital divide” originate from a modest surcharge that California residents pay on their monthly phone bills.

“Nearly 1.4 million rural California residents lack broadband access, making it difficult to obtain basic services and information in California’s rural counties,” Says Kevin Cann, RCRC Chair and Mariposa County Supervisor. “In today’s digital world, it is imperative to our rural economic viability that our communities are connected to the information, goods, and services they need. SB 740 helps fulfill the state’s commitment to help ensure universal access to basic telecommunications services in all areas of the state.”

SB 740 authorizes the California Public Utilities Commission to award broadband infrastructure grants and loans to an expanded group of eligible entities. The measure also provides an additional $90 million over the next several years to ensure applications are funded and broadband deployment occurs.