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Bill would add advisory members to Idaho Broadband Advisory Board, require independent grant scoring
Summary
H 299 would allow legislative leaders to add non-voting advisory members to the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board and require independent third-party scoring of grants; sponsor said the change addresses turnover and aims to add technical expertise, and committee advanced the bill to the floor.
Representative Chad Vander Woude presented H 299 to the Senate State Affairs Committee, describing two principal changes: the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House could each add one non-voting, advisory member to the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board, and any grant-award scoring process would be conducted by an independent third party.
Vander Woude and committee members discussed turnover among legislative appointees, the Board's original role overseeing $35 million in state funds for a statewide broadband plan, and substantial federal ARPA funding available for broadband administration. When asked about cost, Vander Woude said a federal grant of about $500,000 and additional federal funds for cities and counties supported planning and grant-writing assistance; the bill's fiscal note indicated no state fiscal impact.
Senator Ruchti moved to send H 299 to the floor with a do pass recommendation; Senator Den Hartog seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.
