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Legislature hears push to revive Broadband Bridge funding as BEAD guidance reduces expected fiber deployment
Summary
Supporters of the Nebraska Broadband Bridge program urged the Appropriations Committee to continue state grants after federal BEAD guidance narrowed expected fiber deployment; proponents asked for roughly $10M (or retention of remaining $3.9M) to close remaining unserved/underserved gaps.
Sen. Wendy DeBoer introduced LB982, seeking an appropriation to continue the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Grant Program. Proponents — including Public Service Commission Commissioner Tim Schramm, telecommunications providers, economic development groups, counties and local providers — argued the state program funded fiber projects that brought 100/100 Mbps service to more than 5,000 previously unserved and 11,000 underserved locations through competitive grants.
Witnesses said federal BEAD/NTIA guidance issued in mid‑2025 changed program priorities, reduced the amount of BEAD funding that would support fiber deployment in Nebraska and removed many unlicensed fixed‑wireless locations from eligibility lists; they warned that BEAD awards will leave gaps the state bridge program is well suited to fill. Schramm and industry representatives urged preserving the remaining roughly $3.9 million in the bridge fund and endorsed restoring state appropriations (DeBoer proposed $10 million) so the PSC can open additional bridge grant cycles.
Carriers and county officials told senators the Bridge program requires meaningful local match and has low administrative costs; they emphasized the program’s 15‑year service obligations and performance enforcement as safeguards. The committee heard no formal opposition, though members discussed how BEAD allocations and mapping changes affected program demand and what a continued state commitment would cost.
