SACRAMENTO – The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) applauds Gov. Jerry Brown for signing into law Senate Bill 740, which helps expand broadband deployment in rural California.

Several weeks ago, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 740, authored by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-San Fernando Valley), which revises the activities of the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF).

The CASF, administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), provides grants to bridge the “digital divide” and secure greater broadband services in California’s unserved and underserved areas.

Funding for the CASF originates 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,” said Carre Brown, Mendocino 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 CPUC 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.

“RCRC thanks Senator Padilla for his hard work in getting SB 740 enacted into law,” said Kevin Cann, RCRC Chair and Mariposa County Supervisor. “Whether it is school children getting connected or public safety services being coordinated through a digital network, we owe Sen. Padilla a debt of gratitude.”