Committee approves bill to keep Broadband Office funds separate

The Government Modernization and Technology Committee voted 7-0 to approve House Bill 11‑24 after the Broadband Office requested an amendment to prevent federal and state funds from being commingled.

The amendment, presented by Representative Bayshore, moves language to ensure capital projects funds are accounted for separately from the state’s recovery funds — described in the meeting as the state local and fiscal recovery funds — so federal and state programs are not commingled. "Broadband just wants to make sure they have separate accounts so they don't commingle the federal and state funds," Bayshore said, calling the change "clean up language."

Representative Shaw asked whether the amended language removed a reference to "coronavirus capital projects." Bayshore confirmed the strike-through and said the Broadband Office's goal was separation of funds for accounting and auditing purposes. After brief questions, a motion to pass the bill was made and seconded. Staff opened the vote; Representative West closed the vote and the chair declared the motion passed with seven ayes and zero nay votes.

Committee business earlier in the meeting noted that House Bill 11‑23 and House Bill 22‑93 were laid over, leaving a one‑item agenda; House Bill 11‑24 was the only item the committee voted on before adjourning.