Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation from California Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that aims to improve broadband and internet connectivity across California by allowing the state to lease its property to providers for deployment of new infrastructure.
Senate Bill 387 aims to give General Services more flexibility in setting lease terms, creating incentives for broadband providers to invest in much-needed infrastructure improvements. Also, it is scheduled to allow the department to execute leases on behalf of other state departments such as Caltrans, Parks and Recreation and Fish and Wildlife, with their consent.
“With approval of this new law, the state can use its property to generate revenue while enticing providers to expand their offerings,” Sen. Dodd said in a news release. “It will fill in unserved zones and help get high-speed data to those who need it for work, school and home life. I thank the governor for signing it into law. ”
Under existing law, the state Department of General Services is limited in its ability to execute leases of state-owned real property that could be used to support statewide broadband development. Such development could support digital equity, especially in underserved communities.
“To survive in today’s economy, it is critically important to have fast, reliable broadband,” Dodd said. “The problem is, broadband isn’t yet deployed adequately or equitably in many areas of our state. My proposal ensures the state can effectively partner with internet service providers to lease state properties for deployment of broadband infrastructure.”
This comes the same day the governor signed other legislation from Dodd that aims to clarify an existing law to ensure nurse midwives are able to continue providing essential healthcare services before and after pregnancy, enhancing mother and child well-being, especially in underserved communities.
“Nurse midwives play an important role in delivering maternity care, and it is critical that we increase access to their services,” Dodd said. “With the signing of this new law, we enhance the ability of these dedicated practitioners to provide essential services, eliminating red tape that is so often a barrier to healthy outcomes.”
In California, nurse midwives deliver 50,000 babies a year and provide an array of essential supporting services, filling an important role in the face of provider shortages. To meet the demand in 2020, Dodd wrote Senate Bill 1237, increasing medical access for all women and birthing people, especially those in rural or inner-city settings.
